Doctrines of Prayer, Faith, and Peace by James Hastings: Hastings, James - Doctrine of Prayer: 064. Chapter 14: Hindrances To Prayer

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Doctrines of Prayer, Faith, and Peace by James Hastings: Hastings, James - Doctrine of Prayer: 064. Chapter 14: Hindrances To Prayer



TOPIC: Hastings, James - Doctrine of Prayer (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 064. Chapter 14: Hindrances To Prayer

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HINDRANCES TO PRAYER.

1. THERE are many who have experienced at times an intense dissatisfaction with their prayers. They seem so lame, so cold, so profitless that they are inclined to exclaim, “What a weariness, what a mockery it is” They are constantly disappointed with themselves. The heart that seemed so full has run empty ere they reached their knees. They have nothing to say; all their thoughts have fled from them; and the intense longing comes across their heart that some one would teach them how to pray.

I think it was some sense of dissatisfaction with their prayers which stole into the hearts of the disciples, and prompted the petition—“Lord, teach us to pray”. The sight of their praying Master doubtless aroused the feeling. As they saw His earnestness, His faith, and how many things He had to lay before His Father, they craved to know the secret of that spirit of prayer. They contrasted it, in their own minds, with their own faint, dead, spiritless, and meagre petitions; and realized, with a vividness they never felt before, how grievously defective in all the features of true prayer were their own lifeless supplications. [Note: W. Boyd Carpenter.]

2. Can we discern any of the causes of this barrenness in prayer? We may find some help if we consider the following:—

(i)      Inattentiveness.

(ii)     Preoccupation.

(iii)    Doubt.

(iv)     Pride.

(v)      Selfishness.