How does someone hinder their own prayers?

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Accepted answer

As well as 1 Peter 3:7 that you cite where dishonoring your wife is identified as a hindrance to prayer, the following scriptures are relevant in answer to your question:

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. - Psalm 66:18 ESV

Comparing different translations for the meaning of 'cherished iniquity' may be helpful, but it would not be a stretch to interpret this as: Unrepented sin is a hindrance to effective prayer.

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven...12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors...14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:9-15 ESV

So this is more specific: God won't heed our prayers for receiving forgiveness if we harbor unforgiveness towards others.

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; - James 1:5-7 ESV

The context is asking for wisdom, but there seems to be no reason why the underlying principle is not more general (cf. Mark 11:24): Doubt is a hindrance to effective prayer.

There are actually many more principles, but I would refer serious enquirers to the works of E.M. Bounds or Leonard Ravenhill rather than an exhaustive (and over-long for this forum) analysis.

Upvote:0

I have extensive Bible software that can search several versions at the same time. There is no other verse that talks about hindering your prayers. While there may be other factors that do indeed affect your prayer life(ie., hidden sin) there is no verse that says so right out.

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