Prayer While Out of the State of Grace

[Kronos]

Can anyone tell me what the Church teaches when someone falls out of the state of grace, makes a perfect act of contrition, and resolves to go to confession as soon possible and prays for others… Does God hear the prayers of that person or since they are enemies of God (as I understand it since they’re not in the state of grace), does He turn a deaf ear to them?

 

[LilyM]

Can anyone tell me what the Church teaches when someone falls out of the state of grace, makes a perfect act of contrition, and resolves to go to confession as soon possible and prays for others… Does God hear the prayers of that person or since they are enemies of God (as I understand it since they’re not in the state of grace), does He turn a deaf ear to them?

Short answer is no.

Remember that all Catholics are called on pain of mortal sin to attend Mass, the public prayer of the Church, every Sunday. Rain hail or shine, whether they are in mortal sin or no. Clearly if God turned a completely deaf ear to their joining in prayer with their fellow Catholics this would not be required.

My own theory, for what little it’s worth, is that mortal sin grievously wounds the soul. Such that the sacraments apart from baptism and confession, and the Eucharist are totally inefficacious for us. More than that, that it is an offence to God to present oneself for them while in such a state. But the final blow isn’t dealt until such time as the person dies impenitent.

Prayer, to my mind, is a different matter entirely. After all, a parent doesn’t normally turn a deaf ear to a child, however grievously that child has offended them, who pleads either for themself or a sibling. They may punish the child in other ways for their misdeeds, however.

 

[stbruno]

God is always waiting and watching and listening. He runs out to greet us who have fallen astray like the Prodigal father. He also is the Good Shepherd who looks for the lost sheep. He searches His house for the lost penny…He hears all prayers…but why risk not coming all the way back…If you have access to a computer you are not on an island or that far away from a confessor. Reconcile today so that on Easter Sunday, you can celebrate fully!

 

[water]

also, God hates sins, but He loves the sinners, and that is why He has given us His only Beloved Son Jesus Christ - we are all sinners and He loves us.

1 Timothy 1:15

A faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.

 

[teachccd]

Can anyone tell me what the Church teaches when someone falls out of the state of grace, makes a perfect act of contrition, and resolves to go to confession as soon possible and prays for others… Does God hear the prayers of that person or since they are enemies of God (as I understand it since they’re not in the state of grace), does He turn a deaf ear to them?

I would think that He would be even more attentive to a person who communicates His sorrow for turning from ultimate Love. God knows your heart better than you know yourself. If we truly are enemies of God then prayer would not even enter our minds. I have a hard time believing that an all loving God would turn a deaf ear on a repentant sinner even before the opportunity to receive reconciliation. God continually moves towards us. We choose to move away from Him. Keep praying. God loves you…