Praying before Confession

[littleeg]

If one has committed a moral sin and his confession apt is a day away will his prayers still be heard. i am terrified that God will not hear my prayers although i am very sorry and plan to go to confession

 

[LilyM]

If one has committed a moral sin and his confession apt is a day away will his prayers still be heard. i am terrified that God will not hear my prayers although i am very sorry and plan to go to confession

Be reassured

Remember that all Catholics are commanded to assist at the common prayer of the Church, which is the Mass, every Sunday, rain hail or shine, mortal sin or no.

This shows that God most certainly hears our prayers, even when we’re separated from the sacraments by unconfessed mortal sin. Otherwise neither he nor the Church would desire this of us when we are in mortal sin.

Rest easy, say a good Act of Contrition right now, and resolve to make a good confession tomorrow.

 

[baltobetsy]

Nothing, not even a million mortal sins, will make God stop loving you. He will always hear your prayers, especially when you are in need of His mercy. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, He is waiting for your return.

God bless you.

Betsy

 

[StCsDavid]

If one has committed a moral sin and his confession apt is a day away will his prayers still be heard. i am terrified that God will not hear my prayers although i am very sorry and plan to go to confession

Just remember, when you’ve committed a mortal sin you’ve lost your sanctifying grace, but not God’s love for you. He loves you so much he gives you a means to get back into communion with Him and be renewed. His mercy is beyond comprehension. Be not afraid. Go to confession and praise God for His love.

 

[Contarini]

Just remember, when you’ve committed a mortal sin you’ve lost your sanctifying grace, but not God’s love for you. He loves you so much he gives you a means to get back into communion with Him and be renewed. His mercy is beyond comprehension. Be not afraid. Go to confession and praise God for His love.

Shouldn’t a Catholic (or anyone!) who has committed mortal sin make an immediate act of contrition? It’s not as if you just wait around till confession to get right with God. You get right to the best of your ability immediately, but you also seal your repentance sacramentally as soon as possible.

Am I misinterpreting Catholic teaching?

Edwin

 

[LilyM]

Shouldn’t a Catholic (or anyone!) who has committed mortal sin make an immediate act of contrition? It’s not as if you just wait around till confession to get right with God. You get right to the best of your ability immediately, but you also seal your repentance sacramentally as soon as possible.

Am I misinterpreting Catholic teaching?

Edwin

You’re absolutely correct, unfortunately not all Catholics have been well enough catechised that they’re aware that they can or should do this

I think if they’re genuinely sorry though, God reads their hearts even if they don’t say it in formal words.

 

[dylanschrader]

You’re absolutely correct, unfortunately not all Catholics have been well enough catechised that they’re aware that they can or should do this

I think if they’re genuinely sorry though, God reads their hearts even if they don’t say it in formal words.

Right. The important thing is to have perfect contrition along with the intention to go to confession, not to recite certain words. The words express and foster contrition but are not the contrition itself.

God still hears the prayers of someone without sanctifying grace. What the loss of sanctifying grace does to the soul is, of course, make it supernaturally dead and thus incapable of meriting anything or of being pleasing to God in the supernatural way that he intended.

But don’t worry! Once you go to confession your merits and virtues will revive and your soul will be alive with supernatural Charity again.