Christian Matthew
They are not big sins like lies, adultery, stealing or murder that block the sincere prayers of the saints: they are our little acts that God bothers about. Sometimes ago, a praying lady came to my office and requested that I should agree with her so that the Lord could hasten the steps of a suitor. She needed it seriously because time wasters, the married and nonbelievers were those that showed interest, yet she had never prayed for anything in her life as getting a God-driven husband. While we were praying, the Lord gave me a question for her: “What was your reaction when your best friend told you that she got somebody to marry?” She paused for a very long time before she said that she felt bad and unhappy. She was not happy to hear the good news about her friend; how would she have a good news? I asked her why she took up that attitude and whether or not she knew the implication? Well, I reprimanded her for two reasons: her not calling her friend to air her grievance because, up till the time of discussion, the said friend had not been told. Yet, they ate together and slept together. The second reason is that she should have asked God why He did not lead any reliable suitor to her. If she had asked, God would have shown her that it was because of her wicked heart towards her friend. She might not have fasted that long or needed the service of the prayer contractors.
I told her: “Sister, your case is simple. Tell the Lord you are sorry genuinely. Go back and apologize to your friend and the Lord would lead your husband to you.”
I become afraid daily about our kind of Christianity that sees nothing wrong in praying while grudges are kept in our heart against a fellow believer!
Could simple logic not show us that God sees our murderous heart? Yes, the grudges in our heart would block our prayers no matter how authentic they might look (Matthew 5:21-24NIV).