Don't let these common pitfalls hinder your prayers. Psalm 28:1-9
Today’s psalm records one of King David’s prayers. It reveals how he praised the Lord, cried out about his troubles, and asked God to “hear the sound of [his] pleadings” (v. 2) and not be silent. We all want to pray effectively, but to do so, we must avoid certain hindrances:
Wavering faith (James 1:5-8). Doubts about God’s character or dependability diminish our trust in Him. In our uncertainty, we’re more likely to be tossed back and forth by our feelings instead of being grounded in truth.
Wrong motives (James 4:3). God wants us to pray for His will to be done—not for selfish desires to be granted.
Conflict in relationships (1 Pet. 3:7). We can’t expect the Lord to answer our prayers if we’re not treating other people as He says we should.
Indifference to God’s Word (Prov. 28:9). If we’re unwilling to listen to the Lord and obey His commands, our prayers become an abomination to God.
A strong prayer life comes with a godly pattern of seeking to know and please the Lord, not ourselves. Consider whether any of the above issues need correction. Then, start by personalizing the prayers you read in the Psalms or elsewhere in God’s Word.
Credit to InTouch Ministries