When is it a sin to pray?

Don't know the Bible as much as I would like, but I do not remember ever reading that it was a sin to pray.

 

When you're lying to God? Of course, that's also a stupid thing to do, but sometimes we try to do it anyway.

 

It would be a sin if prayer interferes with something that you're morally obligated to do. But that's probably a rare ocurrence.

Psalms reads: How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? (Ps. 80:4). It appears to me that God is not angry because the people don't pray. Rather, God is angry because of the prayer offered Him.

In regards to a wicked man, Psalms also reads: Let his prayer become sin (Ps. 109:7).

 

Is talking to God or listening to Him EVER a sin?

No Way!

But if you mean taking hours away from other obligations like family and job to be on your knees, then maybe yes. But prayer is not the position of the body. I can talk to God while I am doing dishes or typing here or driving someone someplace...

In fact, the older I get, the more I am realizing that prayer should be almost a permanent condition of my heart.

 

I'm not sure that praying to God is ever a sin. He wants us to communicate with Him. And like Helen said you can pray anywhere at anytime.

 

I recall God interrupting Joshua's prayer after Israel had been soundly defeated by Ai. Essentially, God told him sin was in the camp and action was needed.

rufus

 

I John 5:[16] If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

A sin unto death is one sin we are not suppose to pray for... That is what the scriptures say!... What is the sin unto death we are not suppose to pray for?... Any thoughts?... Brother Glen

 

the sin unto death is rejecting the testimony of the Holy Spirit in your heart as to the salvation offered you by Christ. Turn down your salvation and you aren't saved.

 

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
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This may not be what you are thinking, but it seems to me to be a sin to pray when your goal is impressing others intstead of praying to God.

 

How about Proverbs 28:9: He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

 

How do we NOT pray for that sin? If we witness to someone and they say no, do we not pray for them anymore? It seems to me the sin that we aren't supposed to pray for should be identfiable and plausable. But this passage always has confounded me.


Mom O Five also has a good point. Prayer itself is not a sin but the motive and intent with which we do it can be.

~Lorelei

 

Its a sin to pray "Lord, please feed this child", when your plate is over-flowing and you haven't given the child a crumb.

 

May not, but it would be a sin when God replies "look, I blessed you with plenty so that you might feed a hungry child" and there's a refusal to listen.

 

When God has answered and you ignore it, wanting 'your' answer instead.

Regards
Bob