Overcoming Obstacles to Deepen Your Prayer Life
Summary
In our final session of "Pray the Bible," we explored five common obstacles that hinder our prayer life and spiritual growth. Understanding and overcoming these obstacles can lead to a more profound and joyful relationship with God. The first obstacle is guilt, which often prevents us from approaching God in prayer. Many feel they must cleanse themselves before coming to God, but the Gospel teaches us that our guilt should drive us to prayer, not away from it. Jesus invites us to seek forgiveness, and Hebrews 4:15-16 reminds us that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses.
The second obstacle is legalism, where we mistakenly believe that the quality or quantity of our prayers earns God's favor. However, God values the posture of our hearts over the eloquence or length of our prayers. The Bible does not prescribe specific prayer durations or frequencies, emphasizing instead the importance of praying with faith and sincerity.
Doubt is the third obstacle, particularly when we feel God is silent. It's crucial to remember that God always hears us, even if His answers are not immediate or as we expect. Faith is essential during these times, and we must examine our hearts for any sin or lack of faith that might hinder our prayers.
The fourth obstacle is misunderstanding God's sovereignty. Some believe that if God is sovereign, our prayers are unnecessary. However, God has chosen to use our prayers as a means to fulfill His purposes. His sovereignty should fuel our prayers, encouraging us to pray boldly, knowing that He is capable of doing more than we can imagine.
Finally, wrong motivations can hinder our prayer life. Our primary motivation should be the glory of God, but often, other concerns distract us. Remembering who God is and what He has done can inspire us to persevere in prayer. The story of Steven Lungu illustrates the power of prayer and God's faithfulness in answering, even if it takes years to see the results.
Key Takeaways:
- Guilt as a Motivator: Guilt should not keep us from God but drive us to Him. Jesus invites us to seek forgiveness, and we can approach God with confidence, knowing He understands our weaknesses and offers mercy and grace in our time of need. [01:57]
- Legalism in Prayer: God values the sincerity of our hearts over the eloquence or length of our prayers. The Bible does not set specific prayer quotas, emphasizing instead the importance of praying with faith and sincerity. [06:38]
- Dealing with Doubt: When God seems silent, it's crucial to maintain faith and examine our hearts for any sin or lack of faith that might hinder our prayers. God always hears us, even if His answers are not immediate or as we expect. [10:31]
- God's Sovereignty and Prayer: God's sovereignty should fuel our prayers, encouraging us to pray boldly, knowing that He is capable of doing more than we can imagine. Our prayers are a means through which God fulfills His purposes. [17:13]
- Motivations for Prayer: Our primary motivation should be the glory of God. Remembering who God is and what He has done can inspire us to persevere in prayer, knowing that He is faithful to answer in His perfect timing. [22:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Prayer Obstacles
- [00:22] - Overcoming Guilt in Prayer
- [01:40] - Confidence in God's Mercy
- [03:34] - Legalism in Prayer
- [05:12] - Quality vs. Quantity in Prayer
- [06:38] - Heart Posture in Prayer
- [09:34] - Doubting God's Response
- [10:46] - Disqualifying Prayers
- [13:13] - God's Timing in Answering Prayers
- [15:44] - Misunderstanding God's Sovereignty
- [17:13] - God's Sovereignty Fuels Prayer
- [20:30] - Wrong Motivations in Prayer
- [22:01] - Motivation from God's Grace
- [23:28] - Story of Steven Lungu
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Overcoming Obstacles in Prayer
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 4:15-16
2. James 1:6-8
3. 1 Peter 3:7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 4:15-16, why can we approach the throne of grace with confidence? How does this passage describe Jesus' understanding of our weaknesses? [01:40]
2. In the sermon, what are the two main ways guilt can hinder our prayer life? How does the Gospel change our perspective on guilt? [00:37]
3. What does the sermon say about the relationship between God's sovereignty and our prayers? How does this understanding affect the way we pray? [17:13]
4. How does the story of Steven Lungu illustrate the power of prayer and God's faithfulness? What was the specific prayer that was answered? [25:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of guilt as a motivator for prayer challenge or affirm your current understanding of approaching God? What does this imply about the nature of God's grace? [01:40]
2. The sermon mentions legalism in prayer. How might focusing on the quality or quantity of prayers lead to a legalistic mindset? What does this reveal about God's priorities in our prayer life? [04:16]
3. When facing doubt, what steps does the sermon suggest to ensure our prayers are heard by God? How does this align with the teachings in James 1:6-8? [10:46]
4. Reflect on the role of God's sovereignty in prayer as discussed in the sermon. How does this understanding encourage believers to pray boldly and with faith? [17:13]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when guilt kept you from praying. How can you use that guilt as a motivator to draw closer to God in prayer this week? [01:40]
2. Consider your current prayer habits. Are there any legalistic tendencies you need to address? How can you focus more on the sincerity of your heart rather than the length or eloquence of your prayers? [04:16]
3. When God seems silent, what practical steps can you take to maintain faith and continue praying? How can you examine your heart for any hindrances to your prayers? [10:46]
4. How does understanding God's sovereignty change the way you approach prayer? What is one bold prayer you can commit to praying this week, trusting in God's power and purpose? [17:13]
5. Reflect on your motivations for prayer. Are there any distractions or wrong motivations you need to address? How can you refocus your prayer life on the glory of God? [20:46]
6. Think about a long-term prayer request you have. How can the story of Steven Lungu encourage you to persevere in prayer, even if the answer takes years to manifest? [25:30]
7. Identify one person in your life who might be struggling with prayer. How can you support and encourage them to overcome obstacles in their prayer life this week? [26:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Guilt as a Pathway to Grace
Guilt often acts as a barrier between us and God, making us feel unworthy to approach Him in prayer. However, the Gospel teaches us that guilt should not drive us away from God but towards Him. Jesus invites us to seek forgiveness, and through His sacrifice, we are assured of mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:15-16 reminds us that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. This understanding transforms guilt from a hindrance into a motivator, encouraging us to come to God as we are, seeking His forgiveness and love. [01:57]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: Is there a specific area of guilt in your life that you have been avoiding bringing to God? How can you use this feeling as a motivation to seek His forgiveness and grace today?
Day 2: Heart Over Ritual in Prayer
Legalism in prayer can lead us to believe that the quality or quantity of our prayers earns God's favor. However, God values the sincerity of our hearts over the eloquence or length of our prayers. The Bible does not set specific prayer quotas, emphasizing instead the importance of praying with faith and sincerity. This understanding frees us from the burden of legalism, allowing us to focus on the genuine connection with God that prayer offers. It is the posture of our hearts that matters most to God, not the rituals we perform. [06:38]
Matthew 6:7-8 (ESV): "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Reflection: Reflect on your current prayer habits. Are there any aspects that feel more like a ritual than a heartfelt conversation with God? How can you shift your focus to the sincerity of your heart in prayer today?
Day 3: Faith Amidst Silence
Doubt can creep in when we feel that God is silent, leading us to question whether He hears our prayers. It is crucial to remember that God always hears us, even if His answers are not immediate or as we expect. During these times, faith becomes essential, and we must examine our hearts for any sin or lack of faith that might hinder our prayers. Trusting in God's timing and His understanding of our needs can help us maintain faith even when we do not see immediate results. [10:31]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel God has been silent. How can you actively choose to trust in His timing and continue to pray with faith today?
Day 4: Sovereignty as a Catalyst for Prayer
Misunderstanding God's sovereignty can lead some to believe that our prayers are unnecessary. However, God's sovereignty should fuel our prayers, encouraging us to pray boldly, knowing that He is capable of doing more than we can imagine. Our prayers are a means through which God fulfills His purposes, and His sovereignty assures us that He is in control. This understanding should inspire us to approach God with confidence, knowing that our prayers matter and have a role in His divine plan. [17:13]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to believe that your prayers can make a difference? How can you remind yourself of God's sovereignty and power as you pray today?
Day 5: Aligning Motivations with God's Glory
Our motivations in prayer can often be misaligned, focusing on personal desires rather than the glory of God. Remembering who God is and what He has done can inspire us to persevere in prayer, knowing that He is faithful to answer in His perfect timing. Our primary motivation should be the glory of God, and aligning our prayers with this purpose can transform our prayer life. The story of Steven Lungu illustrates the power of prayer and God's faithfulness in answering, even if it takes years to see the results. [22:01]
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Reflection: Consider your current prayer requests. Are they aligned with the glory of God, or are they focused on personal desires? How can you adjust your motivations to align with God's purposes today?
Quotes
A proper understanding of the Gospel helps us see how our guilt can be a motivator to pray, not an obstacle. After all, wasn't it the Lord Jesus who invites us to pray, "forgive us our debts" in the Lord's Prayer? This means that God not only expects us to pray for forgiveness but that we can't be faithful Christians without it. [00:00:52]
Hebrews 4:15 and 16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." [00:01:44]
Legalism is trying to earn God's approval by our works, in this case, our prayers or our prayer life. Legalism often adds rules to our faith that God never gave us, and there are two main ways we can be legalistic about prayer: thinking too much about the quality and the quantity of our prayers. [00:04:09]
Thankfully, a glance at Biblical teaching on prayer shows that God cares about our heart posture, prayer, and the content of our prayers instead of more arbitrary measures like quantity or quality. I'd like to give recovering legalists some encouragement as we think about what God wants and doesn't want in terms of the quality and quantity of our prayers. [00:04:56]
The Bible offers no time length prescriptions or quotas for our prayers. You have to pray x times a day for X number of minutes for it to count in God's eyes. If it did, we would probably care more about watching a clock or checking off boxes to fulfill spiritual duties than actually seeking God. [00:06:44]
Have you ever felt like God was giving you the silent treatment? You pray repeatedly for things, and yet it seems like God isn't listening. Maybe you understand that God cares for you, but you struggle because you haven't received the answer to your prayer that you were looking for. [00:09:34]
Faith is exactly what you and I need to get through these frustrating times of silence. We may not know exactly what is going on, but we can keep praying in confidence. Before we see why, let's quickly look at a few biblical reasons why God may not receive our prayers, and note that this is different from God not hearing us. [00:10:26]
God always answers our prayers but often doesn't do so in the timing we want or in the ways we prefer. His answers may come as a yes, as a no, or as a wait. And waiting is often the hardest part, isn't it? I can usually deal with a no, but waiting for answers can be painful. [00:14:02]
God's sovereignty and human responsibility is a big topic, but I'm convinced that this is an easy obstacle to overcome as it relates to prayer. So let's look at three propositions that can help us: Proposition one, God sovereignly governs the world. Ephesians 1:11 says God works all things according to the counsel of his will. [00:15:59]
God has determined to sovereignly use our prayers for his purposes. To think that God's sovereignty makes prayer unnecessary or unfruitful fails to acknowledge that God is sovereign even over our prayers and that God has decided in all his great wisdom to use the prayers of imperfect people like us as a means to carry out his purposes in the world. [00:17:17]
What is your motivation for prayer? Okay, you know and I know that the answer should be and is the glory of God. Perhaps you've known that for ages, but is that always the motivation of your heart? I wish I could say I've always had perfect motives for prayer, but the truth is I haven't. [00:20:46]
Let me suggest it is simply remembering who God is and what he has done. 1 Corinthians 15:10, the Apostle Paul shares with us what drove him forward in his gospel work. We can apply what he says to prayer: "By the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." [00:21:55]
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