Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus' Name

by Bryan Chapell

The Bible identifies the following specific causes of weakened prayer: Personal disobedience. “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable” (Prov. 28:9). Unconfessed sin. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Ps. 66:18). Unforgiving attitudes. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). Uncaring actions. “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Prov. 21:13). Selfishness. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3). Self-promotion. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt. 6:5–6). Family discord. “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). Failure to pray. “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). Doubt. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask...