Does sin block God answering prayer?

[johnnyjones]

If I willfully sin or struggle with a sin than “give in” are my prayers not answered. When Jesus said, “stop sinning less a greater thing come upon you”, is that my answer? Basically two questions.

 

[po18guy]

The Lord especially hears prayers when we are sinful. He knows what you are made of and your weakness and struggles. He never abandons you. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) was not written by Saint Paul from a position of strength, but of weakness.

 

[King_Lazy]

If I willfully sin or struggle with a sin than “give in” are my prayers not answered. When Jesus said, “stop sinning less a greater thing come upon you”, is that my answer? Basically two questions.

God listens to all prayers.

“Give me chastity and continence, but not yet,” prayed St Augustine when he was a sinner.

When we commit mortal sin, we can pray for the grace of repentance, for the grace to live a holy life, for the grace of salvation. We can pray for others too. We can ask Mary to pray for us too, because her prayers are especially powerful, given that she is the holiest human being who has ever lived.

John 5:14
Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

Jesus said this after He healed a disabled man. He told the man to stop sinning and warned him that if he doesn’t, something worse than his disability may afflict him. I would suggest that this is a reference to hell, which is much worse than any bodily affliction, and awaits all unrepentant sinners.

 

[jmjconder]

**God is all merciful. One of the former Eucharist Prayers said…“when I was lost and could not find the way I loved you more.”

Would a parent’s love diminish due to the faults of their children?**

 

[merdecranz]

Six things the Lord Hates; Proverbs 6:16-19.

1. Haughty eyes/ A proud look
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that plots wicked schemes
5. Feet that run swiftly to evil
   (see 2). A false witness who utters lies
6. He who sows discord among brothers

See also Malachi 2. Here God calls the prayers and sacrifices of Israel’s priests dung! They are marrying unbelievers, divorcing their first wives, and failing to raise Godly offspring. It would seem reasonable to conclude that those who commit these same actions today would have the same disregard by God for their prayers and sacrifices.

 

[JonathonofOhio]

God answers the prayers of the sinner, though He answers the prayers of the just and righteous much more.

From Luke 11
"And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”