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Praying While in Mortal Sin

Question:

Does God hear and answer prayers of the people in the state of mortal sin?

Answer:

The answer is a qualified “yes.” For example, regarding one’s own sins:

When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.

The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of penance (CCC 1452-1453).

So our merciful God is always there to begin the process of reconciliation, including acting as the Good Shepherd to bring back a wandering sheep to the fold (see Matt. 18:12-13). This could include the sincere prayer of one in mortal sin regarding a loved one. God can use that prayer to foster the sinner’s own reconciliation.

I mention a “qualified” yes because we never want to fall prey to the sin of presumption, in which we presume upon God’s forgiveness without being truly contrite:

There are two kinds of presumption. Either man presumes upon his own capacities, (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit) (CCC 2091).

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