PRAYER — Keeping the Communication Lines with God Open and Clear
- Rebecca Montrone
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
God invites us to pray to Him - talk with Him, commune with Him - with open arms. Over and over again the Bible assures us that He loves us and absolutely loves being intimate with us. However, as in any relationship, our sin can cloud our communication with Him.
Scripture speaks plainly about conditions that hinder prayer—not because God is unwilling to listen, but because fellowship with God is relational, not mechanical. The Bible consistently teaches that unconfessed sin, hardened hearts, and broken relationships affect our experience of communion with Him.
This is not about fear-based spirituality - "I keep sinning, and God must be mad at me!" It is about maintaining honest relationship with God on an ongoing, daily, moment-by-moment basis.
Salvation Is Settled — Fellowship Is Maintained
It is super important to always understand that God has already provided the complete and final solution to our sin.
“He is the propitiation for our sins,
and not for ours only but also
for the sins of the whole world.”
(1 John 2:2)
“There is therefore now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 8:1)
When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, our sins—past, present, and future—are fully paid for. Salvation is secure. This is a one-time transaction that lasts beyond our lifetime into eternity, which lasts, and lasts, and lasts.*
Thank. You. GOD!
Yet Jesus Himself distinguished between being clean and staying in fellowship.
When you think of "staying in fellowship," think how if you had just insulted your spouse or a friend you would not at that moment be "in fellowship."
Jesus told His disciple Peter that he was "clean," meaning that in God's sight Peter was clean from sin - he was "saved" from death and hell - because of His faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said:
“He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet,
but is completely clean.”(John 13:10)
The believer is justified, meaning saved and secure and going to heaven when he or she dies—but still walking through a fallen world and living as a person who will never be perfect while on this earth. Daily life requires daily cleansing, not for salvation, but for continued intimacy.
Confession Restores Fellowship
Scripture gives a direct promise regarding confession:
“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)
Confession is not a formal ritual to engage in but rather,
"Oh, wow; I am so sorry I did that... thought that... said that...please forgive me!"
David’s prayer after his sin of adultery with Bathsheba shows this clearly:
“For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.”
(Psalm 51:3)
And then he prays:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.”
(Psalm 51:10)
Right there:
"I was wrong, and that wrong has put a wedge between us, Lord. Please forgive me; I need a fresh start."
It's what happens when you make up with someone after an argument; seeking and obtaining forgiveness from the other person. However, every sin is a sin against God, and because our sins are forgiven in Christ does not mean that we take them lightly.
What David feared most was not the consequence of his sin, but the distance it put between him in his intimate relationship with God. He prays:
“Cast me not away from Your presence.”
(Psalm 51:11)
I totally get that, don't you?
Sin disrupts fellowship.
Repentance is what restores it.
Scripture Examples of Prayers Hindered
The Bible does not leave this principle vague. It gives explicit warnings and real examples:
Cherished Sin
“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.”
(Psalm 66:18)
This is not about momentary failure, but clinging to sin while expecting intimacy with God.
Persistent Disobedience
God speaks bluntly through the prophets:
“When you spread out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen—your hands are full of blood.”
(Isaiah 1:15)
“Your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God.”
(Isaiah 59:2)
God’s silence here is not cruelty—it is relational consequence.
Unrepentant Pride
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
(James 4:6)
“The Lord is far from the wicked,
but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
(Proverbs 15:29)
Humility is not optional for prayer—it is foundational.
Broken Relationships Hinder Prayer
Jesus taught that it is important to clear the air with others we have offended before we come to Him with our worship:
“If you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift… first be reconciled.”
(Matthew 5:23–24)
Later, He reinforced the necessity of forgiveness in prayer:
“When you stand praying, forgive, if
you have anything against anyone.”
(Mark 11:25)
Marriage and Prayer
The New Testament applies this directly to daily life:
“Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way…
so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
(1 Peter 3:7)
This is one of Scripture’s clearest statements that the spiritual life is a part of the whole of life and must be in harmony to be healthy.
The Lord’s Prayer: Confessing our need of forgiveness and confirming our own forgiveness of others:
“Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
(Matthew 6:12)
Prayer is not merely asking - coming to God involves our understanding that sin is in the way of our relationship with God, God forgives our sin, and God expects us to forgive those who sin against us.
Self-Examination: Not Condemnation, But Clarity
Before observing the Lord’s Supper (aka "communion"), believers are instructed:
“Let a person examine himself.”
(1 Corinthians 11:28)
This instruction was given in response to a specific problem in the Corinthian church. The Lord’s Supper had begun to reflect division, selfishness, and disregard for fellow believers, rather than the unity and self-giving love it was meant to proclaim.
Paul’s call to self-examination was not a demand for believers to search for every possible sin or to approach the table in fear. It was a call to pause, reflect, and realign—to ensure that their attitudes and actions toward one another matched the meaning of the meal they were about to share.
In other words, the examination was meant to bring clarity, not condemnation—to restore integrity between belief, behavior, and fellowship within the body of Christ.
David models this posture:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart…
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
(Psalm 139:23–24)
Not Perfection — But Posture of Heart, Mind, Attitude...
Here is the crucial balance. If God required perfect thoughts and flawless behavior before prayer, no one would ever be able to pray!
Scripture acknowledges ongoing struggle with sin:
“For we all stumble in many ways.”
(James 3:2)
What God desires is not perfection, but an acceptable personal posture before Him:
Humility instead of defensiveness
Confession instead of concealment
Repentance instead of rationalization
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God,
You will not despise.”
(Psalm 51:17)
Guardrails for the Heart
To avoid going overboard into what is sometimes called "religious scrupulosity" - a pattern of spiritual anxiety in which fear of offending God or “doing faith wrong” replaces trust in His grace and distorts the believer’s relationship with Him - scripture itself provides balance:
Confession is a gift
“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous.”
(1 John 2:1)
God’s silence is relational, not punitive
“Return to Me, and I will return to you.”
(Malachi 3:7)
This is a daily rhythm, not a forensic audit
“Teach us to number our days
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
(Psalm 90:12)
The goal is intimacy, not anxiety
“Draw near to God,
and He will draw near to you.”
(James 4:8)
📖 Bible-Study Sidebar
What to dig deeper? Use this "sidebar" as a guided invitation—not to take anyone’s word for it, but to open the Bible and examine what God Himself says about prayer, confession, and spiritual posture.
1. Confession and Cleansing
Read and reflect:
1 John 1:7–9 “If we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin.”
Psalm 32:3–5 “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away… then I acknowledged my sin to You.”
Ask:
What changes when sin is brought into the light?
What does God promise to do when we confess?
---------------------------------
2. When Sin Hinders Prayer
Read carefully:
Psalm 66:18 “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
Isaiah 59:1–2 “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.”
Ask:
What is the difference between stumbling and cherishing sin?
How does Scripture describe the effect of unrepentant sin on fellowship?
---------------------------------
3. Relational Integrity Before God
Read:
Matthew 5:23–24 “First be reconciled to your brother.”
Mark 11:25 “When you stand praying, forgive.”
Ask:
Why does God prioritize reconciliation over religious activity?
Are there relationships the Spirit is prompting you to address?
---------------------------------
4. Marriage and Prayer
Read:
1 Peter 3:7 “…so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
Ask:
What does this reveal about how daily conduct affects spiritual life?
How does God view the connection between love and prayer?
---------------------------------
5. God’s Desire for Humility, Not Perfection
Read:
Psalm 51:16–17 “A broken and contrite heart… You will not despise.”
James 4:6–8 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Ask:
What posture does God respond to?
How does humility differ from self-condemnation?
---------------------------------
6. Invitation, Not Intimidation
Read:
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
1 John 2:1 “We have an advocate with the Father.”
Ask:
What kind of access does Christ provide?
How does advocacy differ from accusation?
A Scripture-Based Prayer of Alignment
Because keeping the lines of communication with God open matters!
Father God,
I come to You because You have invited me to draw near(Hebrews 4:16).
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me and know my thoughts (Psalm 139:23).
If there is anything in me that does not belong, I bring it into the light now.
I agree with You about my sin, trusting that You are faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse me from all my sin(1 John 1:9).
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me
(Psalm 51:10).
If I have wronged anyone, show me how to walk in humility and make it right (Matthew 5:23–24).
I do not come because I am perfect but because You are merciful.
I do not hide, because You are gracious.
Thank You that I have an Advocate in Jesus Christ and that nothing can separate
me from Your love (1 John 2:1; Romans 8:38–39).
Lead me in the way everlasting,and help me walk closely with You today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Fernando Ortega is one of my "favorites!" He is an amazing musician and songwritier, but, more important, his faith is deep, authentic, and true. This song is a perfect fit for today's focus. Enjoy!
*Interested in knowing how to enter into a personal relationship with God through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Say a Salvation Prayer and Receive Jesus Christ Today.
Of course, the saying of a prayer is the reflection of a monumental and life-changing heart decision, but this is a good guide.
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