Does God Hear Your Prayers If You’re Naughty?

Does God hear your prayers if you’re naughty?

As a national Christian speaker, I hear this question all the time. Will God answer my prayers if I’ve been naughty?

There are those who will tell you that God does not listen to the prayers of sinful people. I’d have to disagree. If being naughty disqualified you from having God’s ear, no one would have it.

• Especially not a murderer like Moses or Paul.
• Hotheads like Peter and Samson would certainly be disqualified.
• Rebels like Jonah and Abraham would never get God’s attention.

Listen up, Girlfriend, God already died to pay for whatever naughty you’ve done. He loved you enough to die for you and certainly He loves you enough to answer your prayers.

You’re the obstacle to God

Now it’s true that if you have a huge sin in your life, it could be an obstacle to hearing from God. But that’s on you. God doesn’t distance himself from us. Our shame and guilt keeps us from approaching him. 

I recently had a falling out with a girlfriend. I hurt her feelings causing a rift between us. Consequently, I did not go out of my way to see her or call her or run into her. I even avoided going to places where I knew she’d be! The tension between us made me want to avoid her. It wasn’t until I acknowledged my mistake, apologized and asked her to forgive me did I want to spend time with her again.

The same is true when I hurt God. When I am being naughty or haven’t dealt with my sin, I do not want see him, or hear him or be with him … until I admit my misstep, say I’m sorry, and ask him to forgive me. Only then will I want to spend time with him. Only then will I feel worthy to approach him. 

God hears your prayers.

If God didn’t listen to the prayers of naughty people like me … and maybe like you, he wouldn’t hear anyone’s prayers.

But he does. The Bible says so. Jer 33: 3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  God is on the edge of his throne waiting to hear from you. 

Remember God already knows all about your “naughty” and has paid the penalty for it with Jesus’ death on the cross. 

The Lord loves to hear from naughty people like me … and you… so he can tell us that we’re forgiven and we’re loved, and that he has wonderful plans for us.

Your turn. 

What’s holding you back from talking to God today? Don’t let the lie that God won’t listen to the prayers of naughty people keep you from connecting with Him. 

Verse of the day: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

Prayer: Lord God, I am so thankful that you are always at the ready to hear from me, guide and direct me, forgive me and reset me. Thank you for a do-over every time I need one. Your love sets me free. Amen.