THE BARRIER OF SIN TERMINATES PRAYER
THE LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Monday, 17th August, 2026
TOPIC: THE BARRIER OF SIN TERMINATES PRAYER
MEMORISE
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).
READ: Isaiah 59:1-8
[1]. Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
[2]. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
[3]. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity.
[4]. No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; they conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
[5]. They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, and from that which is crushed a viper breaks out.
[6]. Their webs will not become garments, nor will they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
[7]. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
[8]. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
EXPOSITION
Prayer is a special way by which we communicate with God and receive His answers. However, some things can block our prayers from reaching Him. One of the greatest obstacles is sin. Just as water can put out fire, sin extinguishes the power of our prayers. Isaiah 59-1-2 make it clear that sin separates us from God, forming a barrier that prevents our prayers from being heard.
God is holy and anything impure cannot stand in His presence. Psalm 66:18 says, _If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear._ Sin blocks us from reaching God’s throne of grace, where prayers are answered.
Even though there are more prayer houses, ministers and mountains than ever, many prayers are still hindered by widespread sins in the society. Bloodshed, corruption, lies and injustice are just a few examples (Isa. 59:3-5). These sins act as prayer terminators, cutting off our connection with God.
To overcome this, we must confess and turn away from sin. We need to approach God with clean hands and pure hearts. When we repent, God, in His mercy, forgives us and listens to our prayers. Today, remove all hindrances, so that our prayers can bring testimonies.
PREVIOUS DEVOTIONAL
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, cleanse me of all sins that block my prayers
2. Father, destroy every prayer terminator in my life.
3. Lord Jesus, deliver Your church from sins robbing her of Your manifestation and intervention.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CACGHB: 188
7 7 7 7 D
1. Sinners, turn, why will ye die?
God, your Maker, asks you why:
God, who did your being give
Made you with Himself to live,
He the fatal cause demands,
Asks the work of His own hands;
Why, ye thankless creatures, why
Will you cross His love, and die?
2. Sinners, turn, why will ye die?
God, your Saviour, asks you why
God, who did your souls retrieve,
Died Himself, that you might live;
Will you let Him die in vain?
Crucify your Lord again?
Why ye ransom’d sinners, why
Will you slight His grace, and die?
3. Sinners, turn; why will ye die?
God, the Spirit, asks you why
He who all your lives hath strove,
Wooed you to embrace His love
Will you not His grace receive?
Will you still refuse to live?
Why, ye long-sought sinners, why
Will you grieve your God, and die?
4. Can you doubt if God is love,
If to all His yearnings move?
Will you not His word receive
Will you not His oath believe?
See, your dying Lord appears!
Jesus weeps believe His tears!
Mingled with His blood they cry
“Why will you resolve to die?”
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 53-56
AUTHOR
CAC, Christian Education Department.
Stay blessed and fruitful for the glory of God.
Content Credit: THE LIVING WATER- CAC DAILY DEVOTINAL GUIDE
Image Credit: Google.com
