It is a breach. Like Adam and Eve hiding from God behind the fig leaves, we are ashamed and likewise hide. We may hide behind our schedules, work, family responsibilities, recreation, or even ministry—but we do hide. It is important therefore to see how sin affects our relationship with God. Prayerlessness is always a manifestation of sin and its effects. We should never be content to sit in a season of prayerlessness but rather to recognize why we are in it and labor to remedy it.

The other day I preached on prayer and received a helpful comment from a church member. They mentioned the way in which sin keeps them from prayer; and how, over time, the guilt over sin makes it quite difficult to pray. I think this is a problem for many of us. Here are some thoughts to navigate a path of prayer through the fog of guilt.

Remember that sin will always keep you from prayer.

Just like sin against others affects our relationship with them, so to, sin puts a stress on our relationship with God. It is a breach. Like Adam and Eve hiding from God behind the fig leaves, we are ashamed and likewise hide. We may hide behind our schedules, work, family responsibilities, recreation, or even ministry—but we do hide. It is important therefore to see how sin affects our relationship with God. Prayerlessness is always a manifestation of sin and its effects. We should never be content to sit in a season of prayerlessness but rather to recognize why we are in it and labor to remedy it.

Remember that prayer will lead you out of sin.

It is ironic that prayer is actually the rescue chopper from the captivity of sin. It’s the only way out. Like making contact with a Search and Rescue Team, prayer discloses our location and position. The way out of the spiraling pattern of sin is to confess it and repent. We remember that when we do this God forgives us (1 John 1:9). Sin, at its core, is pride. Prayer, at its core, is the expression of humility. The only way out of sin is to humble ourselves before God, embrace reality, and plead for mercy and grace. Our hearts are tricky and quite deceptive (Jer. 17:9). We will tell ourselves that we can’t pray because we haven’t been praying. Our flesh will rage against humbling ourselves before God in prayer. This is where we must remember the basis of our access.

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