«
»

Prayer Killers

For me, prayer is hard work! Yeah, I’m a pastor and I know some think that pastors have this spirituality thing all together. It’s just not true. We struggle like everyone else. Some of the struggles you have staying connected to God through prayer, pastors have them too. Can I be honest with you? You know, sometimes my prayer life sucks! It’s not God’s fault; it’s mine. Sometimes, my prayer life is not as effective as it should be or can be because prayer killers are living large in my life, snuffing out, drowning, and suffocating, picking off my pleas and cries to my heavenly Father. The following list identifies the most common prayer killers in a believer’s life.

1. Unconfessed sins (Psalm 66:18) – So confess 
2. Lack of faith (Mark 6:1-6) – So trust 
3. Disobedience (1 John 3:21-22) – So obey
4. Lack of transparency with others (James 5:16) – So risk 
5. Failure to forgive (Matthew 18:21-22) – So forgive  
6. Failure to pray (James 4:2-3) - So pray 
7. Selfish motives when we pray (James 4:3) - So scrutinize  
8. Setting up Idols in our lives (Ezekiel 14:3) – So destroy 
9. Unresolved conflict (1 Peter 3:7) - So get it straight 
10. Ignoring God’s complete control (Jeremiah 1:5) - So rest 
11. Stubborn will (Psalm 139:22-24) -  So surrender  

My prayers tend to be picked off by the snipers and assassins of lack of faith, prayerlessness, wrong/selfish motives, and a stubborn will. Now, it’s your turn. Look over the list again. Which ones tend to cause problems in your prayer life most frequently? What things have you done to prevent your prayer life from falling prey to prayer killers?    

Popularity: 15% [?]

Tags: , ,

This entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 10:13 am and is filed under Prayer. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “Prayer Killers”

  1. Julie Says:
    April 27th, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Maybe this will help. Can you believe it?! http://is.gd/uSiY

  2. Ed Grey Says:
    April 27th, 2009 at 11:07 am

    Excellent post. Too often the prayer life is hindered. I believe that you have hit the nail on the head. Thanks for sharing and keep them coming ! May God bless you.

  3. D.C. Says:
    April 27th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Just this morning I was asking myself/the Lord why is it so hard to pray sometimes. I’ve asked myself this same question several times. My most common prayer killers are risking, getting it straight and resting….
    Scheduling prayer time helps (this way I’m most committed) and doing it first thing in the morning helps me keep a prayerful attitude throughout my day.
    -Thanks for the post Big P.

  4. Clarence Stowers Says:
    April 27th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Bro,
    EXCELLENT POST!
    For me, my assassins tend to be failure to pray, Selfish motives, and unresolved conflict. Your post made me realize that I STILL have a lot of growing to do and not to think too highly of myself. Thanks for the “divine interruption.”
    GO BULLS!!!

  5. Amado Says:
    April 27th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    I have to admit I have been slacking, I have been disobedient, and stubborn. I just have been so busy with school and taking care of my family, all the things that can distract me from having a relationship with God. This Sunday in church I wasnt all there as well,(focused) on the service. I get disconnected sometime. This happens with me from time to time where I just don’t worship. I get tired then I ask myself why would GOd still want to bless me if I don’t do my part in building my relationship with him. But he still loves me and forgives me, I am grateful for the holyspirt, it gets me back on track.

  6. lisabirch Says:
    April 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am

    Posting these on the wall beside my desk. We all struggle with No. 4 more than we care to acknowledge or admit. It’s the one I’m really digging at these days…

Leave a Reply