The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick
Week 5: Chapter 4 — Hindrances to Prayer
Read Chapter 4 of The Battle Plan for Prayer. Key passages: Isaiah 59:2; James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:7; Psalm 66:18.
Previewing Week 5 of The Battle Plan for Prayer
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 17-week guide when you’re ready.
One of the most important questions we can ask is not 'How do I pray more?' but 'What is preventing my prayers from being heard?' — this chapter gives us the honest, Scripture-based answer.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.The Kendricks identify several specific hindrances to effective prayer. List as many as you can remember from the chapter. Which one surprised you the most, and why?
2.Isaiah 59:2 says that sin separates us from God and causes Him to hide His face. The authors are clear that unconfessed sin is one of the primary obstacles to answered prayer. How do you practice confession in your own prayer life? Is it a regular rhythm or an afterthought?
3.James 4:3 warns that some prayers go unanswered because we ask with wrong motives — to 'spend on your pleasures.' How do you discern whether a request is rooted in godly desire or selfish ambition? Is this distinction easy or difficult for you to make honestly?
a.Can you think of a prayer you have prayed recently that, on reflection, may have been more about your comfort than God's glory?
b.How might you reframe that prayer to align it with God's purposes?