Are our prayers any less efficacious when we are in a state of mortal sin?

[Lampo]

I’ve often wondered this but never asked the question. When I know that I have mortal sin on my soul but still continue to pray for myself and others, is my prayer still received, heard and answered by God in the same way as when I’m in a state of sanctifying grace?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Simple answer is no. God doesn’t turn His back on sinners. We are given every opportunity to repent.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I’ve often wondered this but never asked the question. When I know that I have mortal sin on my soul but still continue to pray for myself and others, is my prayer still received, heard and answered by God in the same way as when I’m in a state of sanctifying grace?

I’ll probably take some heat for this, but I believe the answer is Who knows? God is God. If He chooses to hear and answer the prayers of someone in mortal sin, that is His business. We do know that He hears the prayers of mortal sinners when they cry out to Him in repentance, (otherwise most of us would be lost), but I don’t think we can say anything further about what God, who is not bound by anything, chooses to do. I don’t know if there is any official Church teaching on this. But we do know that God provides for both the righteous and unrighteous. That is in the Bible. If I commit a mortal sin I certainly am not going to stop praying until I can get to Confession.

 

[laszlo]

I’ve often wondered this but never asked the question. When I know that I have mortal sin on my soul but still continue to pray for myself and others, is my prayer still received, heard and answered by God in the same way as when I’m in a state of sanctifying grace?

There are different theological opinions. Most probably God sees more favorably those in the state of the sanctifying grace, they belong to His household.

Those outside of the sanctifying grace have to do everything to restore their favorable status through a good confession as soon as possible.

 

[ConstantineTG]

There are different theological opinions. Most probably God sees more favorably those in the state of the sanctifying grace, they belong to His household.

Those outside of the sanctifying grace have to do everything to restore their favorable status through a good confession as soon as possible.

There is more joy in heaven over 1 repentant sinner than the 99 others who need no repenting. When the lost sheep cries out to the shepherd, the cries are heard and the shepherd comes to the lost sheep.

 

[Lampo]

When we pray coupled with a fast, I know that the prayer is “energized”, so to speak. Just wondering if the opposite could be true. That is my line of thinking in asking the question.

 

[DesertSister62]

Originally Posted by Lampo
I’ve often wondered this but never asked the question. When I know that I have mortal sin on my soul but still continue to pray for myself and others, is my prayer still received, heard and answered by God in the same way as when I’m in a state of sanctifying grace?

*It is my understanding that if we are in a state of mortal sin, that the only prayer that God will hear from us is the prayer that asks forgiveness for the sin, as in Reconciliation, and THEN God hears our other prayers.

DesertSister62 *

 

[Garyjohn2]

I think it is written that the prayers of holy people are more efficacious. Prayers of wicked people are heard as well though.

I could be wrong though! It’s just what I always thought.

 

[beth40n2]

My priest told me God does hear the prayers of a repentant heart. Even if we can not get to confession, we can say and act of contrition. We can do prayers for penance such as the rosary and the Lord will hear.

There is a reason you can not recieve indugences unless certain conditions are met including prior confesion. We need to be in a state of to recieve indulgences.

 

[sagimore]

There is more joy in heaven over 1 repentant sinner than the 99 others who need no repenting. When the lost sheep cries out to the shepherd, the cries are heard and the shepherd comes to the lost sheep.

Prodigal son is an example of the above.

 

[laszlo]

There is more joy in heaven over 1 repentant sinner than the 99 others who need no repenting. When the lost sheep cries out to the shepherd, the cries are heard and the shepherd comes to the lost sheep.

Like everything this is two sided. The controversy is between our freedom, God’s mercy, and God’s justice.

Once more: the bottom line is to seek the reconciliation as soon as possible. God will save no one without his/her cooperation.

 

[zgraf]

I think it’s good that you are at least *aware * that you are in a state of sin, and have a firm intent to make amends…

If I were God (I’m not!) I would see your attitude as that of a loving prodigal child who wants to come back into good graces. I don’t know how God could resist under those circumstances…

Blessings.

 

[Carl_Van]

The answer would have to be yes, our prayers lose their efficacy when we are in a state of mortal sin as we have chosen to separate ourselves from God, and mortal sin kills the life of grace within us. We can, however, humbly ask God for the grace of repentance. The following excerpt is from the Cathechism of the Council of Trent:
“The Second Degree Of Prayer: The Prayer Of Sinners Another degree of prayer is that of those who are weighed down by the guilt of mortal sin, but who strive, with what is called dead faith, to raise themselves from their condition and to ascend to God. But, in consequence of their languid state and the extreme weakness of their faith, they cannot raise themselves from the earth. Recognising their crimes and stung with remorse of conscience, they bow themselves down with humility, and, far as they are removed from God, implore of Him with penitential sorrow, the pardon of their sins and the peace of reconciliation. The prayers of such persons are not rejected by God, but are heard by Him. Nay, in His mercy, He generously invites such as these to have recourse to Him, saying: Come to me, all you that labour, and are heavily laden, and I will refresh you, of this class was the publican, who, though he did not dare to raise his eyes towards heaven, left the Temple, as (our Lord) declares, more justified than the Pharisee.”