A few quotes from the 4th chapter of Carson’s book called Praying For Others
God himself declares that unconfessed sin will cut us off from communication with him, from his powerful answers. “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short too save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isa 59:1-2) p.75
The sins that cut us off from effective praying may be the displays of evil condemned by Malachi – such things as half-hearted religion that offers God second best (Mal. 1:6-14), meaningless tears of repentance while adultery and divorce abound (Mal. 2:13-16), and abysmal absence of the fear of God, a lack that issues in the corruption and the oppression of the poor and unfortunate (Mal. 3:5), a wretched hankering after the ways of the arrogant and the evil doers of society, nurtured by a whispered suspicion that it is futile to serve God (Mal. 3:13-15). Small wonder that God is not moved by the prayers of people who behave in such ways. pp 76-77
If you are serious about reforming your prayer life, you must begin with your heart. Unconfessed sin, nurtured sin, will always be a barrier between God and those he has made in his image. p.76
My Comments: That second quote is worth pondering. There is a lot that is said that may be glossed over if you do not take the time and intentionally think about what it says.
I’m just sayin’!