Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Although sin by itself is not an impediment to the efficacy of prayer (or else none of us would receive a hearing from God), the Bible does indicate that known but unconfessed sin can hinder our prayers to God.

The verse that I think speaks most directly to this is Psalm 66:18 ("If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."). The problem is created not by the commission of sin as such, but by clinging to it and refusing to bring it out into the open by confessing it and then forsaking it.

(And, of course, we are really not "fooling" God by failing or refusing to acknowledge and confess known sin. If we think we are, we are only deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8-9).)

May 03 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

JD Abshire Supporter

Below are a few verses that may answer your question.

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:" (Psalms 66:18)
"The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." (Proverbs 15:29)
"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." (Proverbs 28:9)
"And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood." (Isaiah 1:15)
"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth." (John 9:31)
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." (James 4:3) "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

I believe God wants to bless us more than we're willing to receive it but he does not change. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" (Malachi 3:6). God's blessings reign through righteousness but not at the expense of. "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)

May 03 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gbemisola Femi Ayeni Supporter

The Bible clearly states that the prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God. This then goes to show that any sin in our lives must be confessed for our prayers to be answered. After all, the Psalmist also stated that if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Ps. 66: 18). 

I am therefore of the opinion that confessing one's sin is a prerequisite to answered prayers. Remember, he that covers his sins shall not prosper (Proverbs 28:13))

December 24 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Robyn Keal Supporter Sister in Christ, part of his Bride prayer warrior

Unconfessed sin puts a hindrance between us and God. Because God is Holy and righteous, and the Creator of all things, God hates sin. This sin was introduced by God's enemy and ours. Satan. God couldn't even look upon his Son on the cross when Jesus bore all our sins on him. Jesus cried out, "Father, why have you forsaken me?" God could not look upon him. How much more then can we come to God with a clean conscience if we harbour sin in our heart and life? Prayers would be hindered and not answered because if we don't repent from whatever the sin is, there is separation between us and the Holy One. God can not operate under our sin. Repent, asking for forgiveness and to be washed by the blood of the lamb, Jesus, so we can be acceptable in his sight and start anew.

August 16 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Is prayer effective if we have unconfessed sin?

God's Word offers a balanced answer. On one hand, God invites sinners to come to Him in repentance. On the other hand, Scripture warns that deliberately holding on to known sin can hinder a believer's fellowship with God and affect the effectiveness of prayer.

Psalm 66:18 says, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." The issue is not human weakness, since all people struggle with sin, but the heart's attitude. To cherish sin means clinging to it, excusing it, or refusing to turn from it. A person cannot knowingly rebel against God while expecting unhindered communion with Him.

Similarly, Isaiah 59:2 declares that sin separates people from God. This does not mean God becomes unaware of their prayers. Rather, sin disrupts the closeness and fellowship that He desires with His people. Like a strained family relationship, communication suffers when wrongs go unaddressed.

The New Testament echoes this principle. James 4:3 teaches that some prayers go unanswered because the motives behind them are selfish. First Peter 3:7 warns husbands that mistreating their wives can hinder their prayers. These passages show that God cares not merely about spoken words but about the condition of the heart and the manner of life.

At the same time, Scripture never teaches that believers must achieve sinless perfection before they can pray. If that were true, no one could approach God. Instead, Christians are encouraged to confess their sins honestly. First John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Confession restores fellowship and keeps the believer walking openly before God.

A practical example might be someone harbouring bitterness toward another person. They continue praying for guidance, yet refuse to forgive. Effective prayer would involve bringing that bitterness before God, asking for forgiveness, and seeking the grace to let go of resentment.

Another example is a believer who has acted dishonestly in business. Rather than ignoring it, they confess it to God, make amends where possible, and seek strength to walk in integrity. Such repentance reflects a heart that desires obedience rather than merely the benefits of prayer.

Remember also that some prayers are prayers of confession. After his sin with Bathsheba, David prayed for mercy and cleansing (Psalm 51). The tax collector in Jesus' parable cried, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" and went home justified before God (Luke 18:13-14). These examples show that God welcomes those who come with humility and repentance.

The key issue, therefore, is not whether a person has ever sinned, but whether they are willing to acknowledge their sin and turn toward God. Unconfessed sin can hinder fellowship, weaken spiritual sensitivity, and affect the effectiveness of prayer. Yet God's mercy remains available to those who sincerely repent.

Scripture presents prayer and confession as closely connected. When believers come honestly before God, admitting their failures and seeking His forgiveness, they find grace, restoration, and renewed confidence in approaching His throne. As Hebrews 4:16 encourages, they may then come boldly to receive mercy and find help in time of need.

October 26 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report