Is not putting God first a mortal sin?

[ResoluteSheep]

For example: I have to say some prayers at specific timings but I decide to do my own hobbies and leisures first. Is that a mortal sin?

 

[Reuben_J]

For example: I have to say some prayers at specific timings but I decide to do my own hobbies and leisures first. Is that a mortal sin?

No. In fact, it is not a sin even if you do not say your prayer. If you put yourself in sin when you miss your prayer time, you are only burdening yourself with a personal standard that you are imposing (on yourself).

This does not mean that personal prayer is not important. On the contrary it is very important for us to build that close personal relationship (friendship) with God. That relationship depends on you, how important you want it to be.

Think about your friendship with your friend - would it be your priority or would you let your hobby be a priority? If you let your hobby takes precedent, then perhaps your friend does not mean that much to you.

Roughly, you can take it that way in your relationship with God. When the friendship breaks down, then you make not be beholden much to do what God wants you to, and that may bring you closer to sin.

 

[ResoluteSheep]

No. In fact, it is not a sin even if you do not say your prayer. If you put yourself in sin when you miss your prayer time, you are only burdening yourself with a personal standard that you are imposing (on yourself).

This does not mean that personal prayer is not important. On the contrary it is very important for us to build that close personal relationship (friendship) with God. That relationship depends on you, how important you want it to be.

Think about your friendship with your friend - would it be your priority or would you let your hobby be a priority? If you let your hobby takes precedent, then perhaps your friend does not mean that much to you.

Roughly, you can take it that way in your relationship with God. When the friendship breaks down, then you make not be beholden much to do what God wants you to, and that may bring you closer to sin.

This gives me so much comfort. Thank you. I’m always worried as I’m always thinking my mind that God is saying to me that whenever I miss prayers is a sign that I’m far away from Him and it causes me just so much stress.

I understand that a fervent believer must always live for God at all times. But I still struggle with this as I sometimes value my passions above God as well (which could be idolizing it but it doesn’t get to the point where I choose it over God I think)

So this kind of thinking has been with me ever since March 2016 when I actually started to take note of how horrible sin is. Before this, I always thought that whatever we do we’ll still go to Heaven.

 

[Reuben_J]

This gives me so much comfort. Thank you. I’m always worried as I’m always thinking my mind that God is saying to me that whenever I miss prayers is a sign that I’m far away from Him and it causes me just so much stress.

I understand that a fervent believer must always live for God at all times. But I still struggle with this as I sometimes value my passions above God as well (which could be idolizing it but it doesn’t get to the point where I choose it over God I think)

So this kind of thinking has been with me ever since March 2016 when I actually started to take note of how horrible sin is. Before this, I always thought that whatever we do we’ll still go to Heaven.

You are on the right track. Being aware that God is important, in your case you were even being worried that you might sin, is always a positive sign in one’s journey of faith.

A good Christian does not mean that he cannot be passionate about things that he likes. There has to be a balance. Like the saying, ‘pray’ all day will make Jack a dull boy. We have to realize that we still live in this world.

It’s important though to keep God as the number one in our lives and try not to willfully engage in a life of sins and away from Him. But it is always a struggle to do that. Sometimes we may have to choose, and God has to be the winner, so it takes a sacrifice in doing so.

May God bless and always be with you in your journey.

 

[MaryT777]

No. In fact, it is not a sin even if you do not say your prayer. If you put yourself in sin when you miss your prayer time, you are only burdening yourself with a personal standard that you are imposing (on yourself).

This does not mean that personal prayer is not important. On the contrary it is very important for us to build that close personal relationship (friendship) with God. That relationship depends on you, how important you want it to be.

Think about your friendship with your friend - would it be your priority or would you let your hobby be a priority? If you let your hobby takes precedent, then perhaps your friend does not mean that much to you.

Roughly, you can take it that way in your relationship with God. When the friendship breaks down, then you make not be beholden much to do what God wants you to, and that may bring you closer to sin.

Well said.

 

[Crusaderbear]

When you miss a prayer time, you are still thinking about God! So how far away could you possibly be? Prayer is more than a set of repeated words.

 

[Robert_Sock]

For example: I have to say some prayers at specific timings but I decide to do my own hobbies and leisures first. Is that a mortal sin?

I deeply believe that we are all sinner when it comes to loving God with ALL our soul, heart, mind, and strength.