In the Christian faith, prayer is a vital means of communication with God, allowing believers to express their needs, desires, and gratitude. However, Scripture indicates that certain conditions can hinder the effectiveness of prayer. One such condition is harboring iniquity in the heart. The Bible teaches that God desires purity and sincerity from those who approach Him in prayer, and regarding iniquity can obstruct this divine communication.

Biblical Foundation

The concept that God does not hear the prayers of those who cherish sin in their hearts is rooted in several biblical passages. Psalm 66:18 states, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." This verse underscores the principle that God is attentive to the prayers of the righteous, but He turns away from those who hold onto sin.

Proverbs 28:9 further reinforces this idea: "Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable." This passage suggests that a willful disregard for God's commandments, which is a form of iniquity, renders one's prayers unacceptable to God.

The Nature of Iniquity

Iniquity refers to a deep-seated moral corruption or wickedness. It is not merely the act of sinning but involves an internal disposition that embraces or rationalizes sin. When individuals regard iniquity in their hearts, they are essentially prioritizing their sinful desires over their relationship with God. This internal conflict creates a barrier to effective prayer.

The Heart's Condition

The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as "deceitful above all things and beyond cure." Therefore, self-examination and repentance are crucial for those seeking to align their hearts with God's will. Psalm 51:10 offers a prayer for such transformation: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

Repentance and Restoration

While regarding iniquity can hinder prayer, the Bible also provides a pathway to restoration through repentance. 1 John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Genuine repentance involves acknowledging one's sin, seeking God's forgiveness, and turning away from iniquity.

The Role of Obedience

Obedience to God's commandments is a recurring theme in Scripture as a prerequisite for answered prayer. 1 Peter 3:12 states, "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." This verse highlights the importance of living a life that reflects God's righteousness as a condition for effective prayer.

Conclusion

The Bible clearly teaches that regarding iniquity in the heart can hinder one's prayers. Believers are called to examine their hearts, repent of any cherished sin, and pursue a life of obedience to God's commandments. By doing so, they align themselves with God's will and open the way for their prayers to be heard and answered.Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... When the Arians, who denied the divinity of Christ, were about to ... offer up so many
prayers without receiving answers?" The apostle ... 5. Persevere in prayer. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... of Moab, where he pronounced this solemn prayer or wish ... Balaam answers him, he hath
showed thee, O man ... what we call abandoned; for he absolutely denied to curse ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... Answers. ... the circumstance, that even the wishes of unbelievers are not denied; and,
secondly ... to stimulate his true worshippers to more urgent prayer, when they ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... yea, such an ordinance as brings those that have ... of which particularly David speaks,
when he mentions prayer. ... If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Jerome answers the second, third, and fourth propositions of Jovinianus ... through fear
of a maid-servant denied Him ... The case is different if this prayer belongs to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... Q. But is not deferring to answer prayer a great discouragement ... Q. But these men
each of them denied themselves but of ... A. I will give you a few answers to this ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... the God of providence?"faith in the God who answers prayer? ... yet will not I," would
have denied his Master ... before thee!" God will hear your prayer and bless ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
... Every fleshly lust must be denied, every immoral practice, for ... in little bands for
Christian converse and prayer; and by ... it as such; for as face answers to face ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ix directions to awakened.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... go to many teachers, or consider many answers to this ... to whom he wrote were ignorant
of the Lord's Prayer. ... impatient petitioners, as in mercy He denied it to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... and his mother-in-law, and when he answers to the ... streets would cry out against me
if I denied my guilt ... John Bradford said, that when he was in prayer, he never ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

What is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.org

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Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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