Hindrances to Prayer: Reasons God May Not Answer Your PrayersSample

Wrong Motives

God knows what is in our hearts when we pray. The reasons why we ask for things matter to God. Consider that God is righteous. He will not give us anything that will feed sinful desires and wants to help us grow out of old, sinful patterns.

Jeremiah 17:10 - But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.

What does the above scripture say about God?

Read the scriptures below and note the wrong motives that may hinder prayer, reflecting on any attitudes or behavior that you may need to work on in your life.

James 4:2-3 - You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Wrong motive:

Philippians 2:3-4 - Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Wrong motive:

Matthew 6:5-6 - And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Wrong motive:

1 John 2:15-16 - Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. Wrong motive:

Reflect: Spend some time in prayer regarding the things you have learned above, and let the Holy Spirit lead you in releasing any wrong motives you may have discovered in your own heart. Don’t be afraid to talk to God about this, He already knows about them. When you come to Him with a heart that is fully yielded, He will truly free you from their grip. He loves you, He will never leave you! Talk to Him now.