Barrier #1: Neglect Instead of worrying about our problems or planning for the future, many rarely actually get around to spending much actual time praying for these things.

of Israel, nor seek the LORD!” Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!”

Barrier #2: Righteousness We can actually block answers to prayer and blessings in our lives due to unrepentant sin that dwells within us, mistakenly thinking that “God’s ok with it.”

------------------------------------------------------- Psalm 66:18 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” ------------------------------------------------------- James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Barrier #3: Motives At our core, we are selfish creatures that desperately need God’s help and constant reminders to “seek His Kingdom first” in the way that we pray.

James 4: 2-3 2 “… You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

Barrier #4: Relationships Although especially true when we worship and pray with others, but in general too… our spiritual growth can be greatly hindered by fractured relationships.

Matthew 5: 23-24 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

1 Peter 3:7 “A husband should be thoughtful of his wife… then nothing will stand in the way of your prayers.”

Barrier #5: Faith Asking God to do something is the start of a powerful prayer, but believing He will actually do it (and then maintaining that belief while waiting) is faith.

James 1:6 “When you ask for something you must have faith and not doubt.”

Barrier #6: Persistence * The Parable of the Persistent Widow Maybe the biggest prayer barrier of all is giving up praying when the answer doesn’t come soon enough. * The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Fasting & Prayer Training Saturday, January 16th 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Down in our Fellowship Hall Pastor Josh will be teaching

The 9:25 Prayer Challenge Over the next 41 days (starting tomorrow), I am asking each of you to separately, but in unity, each day to pray at 9:25 (preferably A.M., but P.M. is ok too) for each week’s “breakthrough” focus.

Our role is to be faithful in this process and trust in Him. I deeply believe that God desires a “breakthrough” for you, your family, our church and our community. Our role is to be faithful in this process and trust in Him.