We recently answered a question about hindrances to answers to our prayers and ongoing sin in our lives was one of the hindrances mentioned.  As I consider this question, I am struck with the reality of how ashamed we should be when we refuse to obey God’s Word yet expect the Lord to bless us according to our prayers.  It should cause us to grieve and confess this sin to the Lord, don’t you think?

Let’s prayerfully consider a few verses that speak to your good question:

• Psalm 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
• Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
• Proverbs 21:13, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

There are many verses in the Bible that address this situation.  If we are living in sin, even as believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, that will cause a separation between us and the Lord.  It’s not that He doesn’t love us if we sin.  His love is boundless and endless as we read in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  However, if we are continuing in sin in our lives, we will not be led of the Holy Spirit in our prayers.  It is Spirit led prayers that will cause the Lord to answer.

The Lord Jesus once asked this sad question in Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”  It is easy to say the word ‘Lord’, yet the proof that He is indeed our Lord is when we do what He instructs us to do.  For a believer to live apart from the will of God hurts the heart of the Lord and will result in having our prayers go unanswered.  We can only pray for the will of God in our lives when our prayers are directed by the Holy Spirit and we have this precious promise in 1 John 5:14-15, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 

So, what can be done to have the Lord hear our prayers and answer them?  First, realize and confess your sins to the Lord for His forgiveness and cleansing.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).  Then, seek the Lord’s strength to overcome the sins in your life.  His strength is there for you when you seek Him to lead you out of your ongoing sins.  When we walk in the will of God, we will find many blessings as the Lord responds to our petitions and answers according to His precious and holy will.

• John 9:31, “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
• 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…”
• James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

I pray that you will seek God’s face, confess your sins and look to Him to deliver you from whatever sins you are involved in.  I’m reminded of the words of the Lord to the woman caught in adultery.  After forgiving her, He said to her, “Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11).  (CC)  (663.4)