The Problems and Solutions
“When I cry and shout, He shutteth out my prayer. Thou hast covered Thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through” (Lam. 3:8,44).
1. Unjudged Sin in My Life
Problem: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psa. 66:18).
Solution: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
2. Doubts in My Requests
Problem: “Let not that [doubting] man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (James 1:7).
Solution: “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matt. 21:22).
3. Unconcern for the Needs of Others
Problem: “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” (Prov. 21:13).
Solution: “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38).
4. Ignoring the Will of God
Problem: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Prov. 28:9).
Solution: “If any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth” (John 9:31).
5. Asking for My Own Will
Problem: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).
Solution: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psa. 37:4).
6. Without Brotherly Love
Problem: “Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10). “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart” (Lev. 19:17).
Solution: “This commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:21).
7. An Unforgiving Spirit
Problem: “If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:26).
Solution: “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).