Are the prayers of a priest in mortal sin effective?

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Athrunzala

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1.) I just want to ask a question, if a priest wants to pray for you but he is in a state of mortal sin (knowingly or unknowingly), does God answer his prayers?

2.) How about when it comes to an ordinary Catholic layman?
 
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You can’t be in a state of mortal sin unknowingly. Other than that, this is also something I’ve pondered. If there’s a break in the relationship between sinner and God, are prayers answered?
 
I am pretty sure prayers can still be heard and answered. Think about your own children, if you have them. Just because they may have done something major to put themselvrs in the dog house doesn’t mean that if they genuinely tried to talk to you you wouldn’t hear them and answer them.
 
I really love that advice. Any urge to pray in all sincerity is a grace from God. A grace that will be accompanied by reminding us we need to go to confession but a grace nonetheless.
 
Yes, to both. Perhaps the principle of ‘if thry are not against me, they are for me’, meaning, God does not in a way, very particular in whom are serving him. He just needs a willing vessel, not perfect people. Also, Jesus said, he comes for the sick, not the healthy.

So, anyone can pray for us. But your question is a good one because we often think in a human way, “how can he prays for others, if his own house is not in order?” Fortunately, God’s love and mercy, is far more than that. He still love the sinners, perhaps even more attention is paid to them, as he similarly looks for the one lost sheep and left the ninety nine behind.

With all that background, it comes to reason that God listens to the prayer and cry of a sincere heart.

Of course, then there is St. James saying, the prayer of the righteous avails much, which is another topic. It is not to be confused that sinners’ prayers is not efficacious.

God bless.
 
God hears our prayers regardless of whether one is in mortal sin. A priest, if unable to get to confession, may validly celebrate mass in a state of mortal sin. Such is God’s care for us. He is never far from us in our struggles and is quick to help the sinner who calls out to him with a contrite heart.
 
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