M Michael_J_Lord Guest May 18, 2004 #1 will God only hear and answer prayers from those who are in a state of grace?What does the Church teach on this matter? Thanks
will God only hear and answer prayers from those who are in a state of grace?What does the Church teach on this matter? Thanks
K Karl_Keating Guest May 18, 2004 #2 We can use Thomistic-style reasoning for this one. If God hears only the prayers of those in the state of grace, then he does not hear the prayers of those in the state of mortal sin. If he does not hear their prayers, then he does not hear their prayers of repentance. If he does not hear their prayers of repentance, then he cannot forgive them. If they cannot be forgiven by God, such sinners never can leave the state of mortal sin. If they never can leave the state of mortal sin, then it is not possible for them to achieve grace. If they cannot achieve grace, they cannot be saved. Thus it would be impossible for anyone in the state of mortal sin to have a way to be saved. This means that once you fall into mortal sin, you can’t get out. But this is contrary to Church teaching. Therefore, it is not the case that God hears only the prayers of those in the state of grace.
We can use Thomistic-style reasoning for this one. If God hears only the prayers of those in the state of grace, then he does not hear the prayers of those in the state of mortal sin. If he does not hear their prayers, then he does not hear their prayers of repentance. If he does not hear their prayers of repentance, then he cannot forgive them. If they cannot be forgiven by God, such sinners never can leave the state of mortal sin. If they never can leave the state of mortal sin, then it is not possible for them to achieve grace. If they cannot achieve grace, they cannot be saved. Thus it would be impossible for anyone in the state of mortal sin to have a way to be saved. This means that once you fall into mortal sin, you can’t get out. But this is contrary to Church teaching. Therefore, it is not the case that God hears only the prayers of those in the state of grace.
