The First Hindrance to Answered Prayer is PRAYERLESSNESS, The 2,3,4 & 5th Are:

The first hindrance to answered prayer is – ‘PRAYERLESSNESS’. Sounds simple enough, but our prayers are not answered When We Don’t Pray! Saying we believe in prayer, is not the same as Praying. James writes: “You do not have BECAUSE YOU DO NOT ASK” (4:2). As simplistic as it sounds, we must learn to take the time out and Ask God. Why? Because the Bibles says, “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV). Sometimes we process situations in our minds, or talk about them with our friends, or wish, or hope, But We Don’t Pray! Thinking, wishing, hoping, and talking with others, Is Not Prayer; Only Prayer—Is Prayer!  
The second hindrance to answered prayer is – ‘LACK OF CONFIDENCE’! “Let us then approach the throne of grace WITH CONFIDENCE.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV) When we understand that as God’s redeemed children we have the Right to approach Him at any time, we are able to overcome the enemy’s attempts to make us feel condemned. As a result we become Confident in approaching Him.
The third hindrance to answered prayer is – ‘SIN’! “If I regard INIQUITY in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18.

The fourth hindrance to answered prayer is – “PRAYING OUTSIDE OF GOD’S WILL”. The Bible says: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us and… we know… that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15 NKJV). One of the best ways to make sure we are praying according to God’s Will is to pray according to His Word. Use a verse, a passage or a principle from Scripture to back up what you’re praying, for God says, “…I am ready to perform MY WORD” (Jeremiah 1:12 NKJV).
The fifth hindrance to answered prayer is – “WRONG MOTIVES”! “You do not receive, because you ask with WRONG MOTIVES.” (James 4:3 NIV).
Lastly, God longs to be “BELIEVED”! The Bible says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him MUST BELIEVE that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 ) Faith is a Powerful Spiritual Force. It’s the thing God Responds to.

Blessings

J.P. Olson

www.thewordwithjpolson.com

The prayer conference calls have become a gathering place to meet in God's presence on Monday mornings. You are welcome to join in our prayer conference call. Intercessors & leaders are now available to pray with you each Monday. Hours: (CST) Mon. 7:00 AM- 8:00 AM. Call 800-780-8834 U.S. & Canada. Access Code: 2065345. International calls: 001-800-780-8834 using the same access code. Our Spanish speaking prayer conference calls are every Wednesday at 7:00 - 7:30 AM in the morning. The number and access code is the same.