Let's Start Praying More (Part 17)

 
RELATIONSHIP HINDRANCES TO EFFECTIVE PRAYER
 

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Pet 3:7)

 

A problem in our relationships can impact the effectiveness of a believer’s prayer. Peter speaks of a poor relationship with our spouse that can hinder our prayers, but our prayers can also be hindered by a problem in our relationship with brothers and sisters in the faith. When discussing the offering at the temple, Jesus said,

 

“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matt 5:23-24)

 

The words of Jesus imply that an offering will be negated or disqualified if the relationship with a brother remains wounded. In other words, the believer cannot expect the LORD to look favorably on our offering when we remain at odds with our brethren. Since the temple offering was often equated to prayer (Hosea 14:2), we would expect the same principal to apply. In both offering and prayer, the believer stands before the mercy seat of the LORD and he must do so with “clean hands and a pure heart,” (Psa 24:24).

 

“It was also advised: ‘Anyone whose mind is not at rest should not pray’ (Erub. 65a); ‘A man should always examine himself (before offering prayer); if he can direct his heart (to God), let him pray, otherwise he should not pray’ (Ber. 30b).” (Everyman's Talmud, page 86)

 

In the Lord’s Prayer, we see personal forgiveness dependent on our forgiveness of another, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” (Matt 6:12). This passage is shortly followed by “If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions,” (Matt 6:15). The Lord's Prayer follows the biblical principle of “measure for measure” (Ex 21:24).  Our relationship with another impacts our relationship with the LORD. Therefore, we could conclude that not only the relationship of a husband and wife, but any relationship where transgression or injury exists can be detrimental to a person’s prayer life. To paraphrase the words of John, a person cannot say he loves and prays to God, who he has not seen, while at the same time he hates his brother who he has seen, (1 John 4:20).

(Final Part Next - Lead Us Not Into Temptation) = Scott