Since a mortal sin separates us from God, how does prayer work?

[StrikingEagle]

Since a mortal sin separates us from God, how does prayer work
before confession? Personally, I believe God will hear our prayers
but I don’t know why; especially when doomed to hell if death
occurs before confession. Please explain how it’s possible for
both to occur = separation caused by sin yet God still hears
our prayers.

 

[bingbell484]

Others may have More and better things to say on this, but wouldn’t the fact that one comes to confession show remorse for sin? And wouldn’t God listen to a remorseful sinner?

 

[Gorgias]

Since a mortal sin separates us from God, how does prayer work before confession?

Some will say that prayer while in a state of mortal sin has no effect. I would assert that this, as you intuit, is wrong.

Please explain how it’s possible for both to occur = separation caused by sin yet God still hears our prayers.

We need look no further than the Gospels: the tax collectors and sinners and prostitutes certainly were in a state of serious sin. Yet, when they came to Jesus, was He unable to see them or unable to hear their prayers for healing and forgiveness? Of course not.

God hears our prayers because He knows all things. He knows when we are contrite and wish to repent. If prayer only worked for those who were perfectly centered in their love for Him… we’d all be in big trouble.

 

[FreeEver]

Some will say that prayer while in a state of mortal sin has no effect. I would assert that this, as you intuit, is wrong.

We need look no further than the Gospels: the tax collectors and sinners and prostitutes certainly were in a state of serious sin. Yet, when they came to Jesus, was He unable to see them or unable to hear their prayers for healing and forgiveness? Of course not.

God hears our prayers because He knows all things. He knows when we are contrite and wish to repent. If prayer only worked for those who were perfectly centered in their love for Him… we’d all be in big trouble.

How so true.

After my long absence from the Church and before returning to confession, I prayed daily to my Guardian Angel, the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Memorare), and St. Michael the Archangel for strength. It worked, and I’m so glad to have returned.

Peace to all and God Bless.

 

[tm21]

When we commit mortal sin, we lose sanctifying grace which is necessary for salvation. However, being in a state without sanctifying grace, does not prevent God from hearing our prayers.

 

[StrikingEagle]

Some will say that prayer while in a state of mortal sin has no effect. I would assert that this, as you intuit, is wrong.

We need look no further than the Gospels: the tax collectors and sinners and prostitutes certainly were in a state of serious sin. Yet, when they came to Jesus, was He unable to see them or unable to hear their prayers for healing and forgiveness? Of course not.

God hears our prayers because He knows all things. He knows when we are contrite and wish to repent. If prayer only worked for those who were perfectly centered in their love for Him… we’d all be in big trouble.

thank you all for your replies; however, I’m still a little confused
and searching for WHY God will listen to sinners.

Separation from God through sin breaks our ties with him. For example, if
for some reason a person I know is angry/upset/disowns me, chances are
this person will not reply if I attempt to contact them. To me sin is like this too,
A spiritual separation breaks communication with God until reconciled in confession.

While a person may approach the Sacrament of Confession
remorseful, out of fear for example, I still don’t understand
how this action implies God is listening to prayers while in
the state of mortal sin.

However, quotes below show me God is always present.
Does not mean He is currently listening.

Psalm 139
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

            AND

Matthew Chapter 18
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

One could assert something written/stated long ago implies
it also “happens” as if it took place now… today, but I don’t think
so. These writings are terrific guides, a source of enrichment and grace,
but do not specifically say God is listening . How do we know this?

 

[ccmcmg]

When we commit mortal sin, we lose sanctifying grace which is necessary for salvation. However, being in a state without sanctifying grace, does not prevent God from hearing our prayers.

I can assure you that this is quite true, and also confirmed with our parish priest as well as confirmations from our Lord. I have had prayers answered, and gifts given to me, while I believed myself to be in a state of mortal sin. However, since God knows all, He knew I would be going to Confession the next day.

thank you all for your replies; however, I’m still a little confused
and searching for WHY God will listen to sinners.

Separation from God through sin breaks our ties with him. For example, if
for some reason a person I know is angry/upset/disowns me, chances are
this person will not reply if I attempt to contact them. To me sin is like this too,
A spiritual separation breaks communication with God until reconciled in confession.

Perhaps, if God were just a person, that might be correct. But God is God. He is above our mere human shortcomings. Communication is not cut off; it might be strained, but that is on our end, not on His. Even when you are angry at your children, do you not still love them? If they needed you to save their life, wouldn’t we (or at least, shouldn’t we) do something so simple as to forgive them; He does all that and more, including dying on the Cross.

Just because someone doesn’t hear God or feel His Presence, doesn’t mean He doesn’t hear us, or isn’t with us. God always hears us; we don’t always hear Him, nor do we always like His Answers to our prayers.

I don’t see how the Scriptures you quoted imply that He is not hearing us, or listening to us. How do you know from Scripture that He isn’t listening to us?

I think it shows great faith on our part to continue to pray, even while in a state of sin, or when we don’t hear Him. We thrive on positive feedback, as mortals. But to continue to believe in God and the Faith, even when we don’t ‘feel’ it…yes, it’s hard, but it’s important to do. I appreciate this post of yours to help remind me of that. Thank you.

[/QUOTE]

 

[StrikingEagle]

Hi Christina,

Thanks so much for your reply.

Regarding the scripture passages I posted. You are so correct, and
I’m so very wrong. How blind I was. God certainly is listening.
Listening by speaking to me or anyone reading Psalm 51 or
Matthew Ch 18. Was a little depressed, lonely, and
possibly angry when I wrote that. Have been
having a tough time with something.
Thank you for your gentle correction.

Also have done some reading about sanctifying and actual grace…
things I have forgotten since childhood catechism.

Your point that stood out the most was how I was treating God
like one of us, “typical humans.” Of course God is listening, my
problem is I just don’t want to believe it when things are lousy…
or as you state, I don’t like His answer.

thanks again Christina. really helped.

 

[ccmcmg]

Hi Christina,

Thanks so much for your reply.

Regarding the scripture passages I posted. You are so correct, and
I’m so very wrong. How blind I was. God certainly is listening.
Listening by speaking to me or anyone reading Psalm 51 or
Matthew Ch 18. Was a little depressed, lonely, and
possibly angry when I wrote that. Have been
having a tough time with something.
Thank you for your gentle correction.

Also have done some reading about sanctifying and actual grace…
things I have forgotten since childhood catechism.

Your point that stood out the most was how I was treating God
like one of us, “typical humans.” Of course God is listening, my
problem is I just don’t want to believe it when things are lousy…
or as you state, I don’t like His answer.

thanks again Christina. really helped.

Hi Striking Eagle,

You haven’t done, thought or said anything that thousands of others haven’t. All of us struggle with understanding, especially the mystery of how to understand God, since he is beyond what we as humans deal with and understand. I’m not saying either of us is right or wrong, my friend. I’m glad you were comfortable enough to share your thoughts here. That’s a great thing about Catholic Answers forums!

I truly hope that the words I shared with you continue to bless and help you each and every day. I’d like to believe that the Lord was guiding me, and I was actually listening to Him, as I replied to you. I know how it is to be lonely, or depressed, or angry. Those words were from my heart and soul.

If I have a hard time believing that God will forgive me my sins, I have to remember that He is not ‘me’, He is not a mere mortal; even as the children of God our King, we make mistakes, sin, misunderstand; it’s our fallen nature. If I withhold my own forgiveness, or belief in His Mercy and Love, I feel like I’m saying my opinion is more important than His; I’m wrong.

Trust in Him. Trust in the Faith you’ve been given. Sometimes it feels easy; remember those times when it feels impossible, and that God loves and cares for you just the same at either time. Sometimes His answer is silence, or yes, or no, or not yet, or never. The more we accept His Will and discern His Will (not our own) for us, in the end, the happier we will be. And aren’t we living for the ‘end’, which will be forever, instead of the ‘now’ which is fleeting?

I loved your post; it made me think, and put into words what I was feeling, and thinking, and hopefully helping you.

God bless you, and remember, you are never alone. If the words can’t come to you in prayer what to say to Him, pray the Lord’s Prayer. Or if that is too hard, take a Rosary and pray “Jesus, I love you” on each and every bead. You can also pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy along with various apps on your cell phone, or via YouTube, or even on EWTN on TV.

Blessing you and praying for you,
C

 

[ready]

When a person is in mortal sin and prays humbly and contritely to God, God gives the person grace for conversion. The person need only to respond to that grace and more graces will be given him/her. If the person keeps responding to grace after grace, he/she will soon find that he/she is back in a state of grace, that is, after he/she makes a good, sincere confession, or even after he/she makes an act of perfect contrition, which is then followed by confession. God bless you.