Who has the right to lay hands on someone and pray for them? I have been told that if someone has sin in their life, even though they have asked for forgiveness, can’t come into agreement with others to pray. I can’t find scripture for this. Is there?
We all have sin in our lives no matter who we are as Christians. The Bible says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:8-9. They key is to confess our sins to God and receive forgiveness. So once a person has done that, they can come into agreement and pray for others. It really depends on what they mean by a person having “sin in their life”. Do they mean if a person is living in an adulterous relationship or using illegal drugs? All sins can be forgiven, but if a person is living in habitual sin then they’re prayer life does come into question. I’m wondering what they mean by “living in sin”? – Rev.
The offence is that they smoke and every week they ask for prayers for their addiction. Now they are told they can’t touch others because of their sin, with this as the offence. Sin is sin, I understand. But when they have been forgiven for the sin a few minutes before, they can’t pray for others? I just don’t understand.
I agree with you. When a person asks for forgiveness, they are forgiven. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:9. It seems that some people don’t understand how hard it can be to quit smoking especially going cold turkey. Sometimes there are things that need to happen both mentally and emotionally before a person can completely quit. There are also physical chemical dependency issues too (nicotine). The other thing is; what about people who have sins that are hidden like gossip, lust or pride? What’s the difference? Smoking is a sin that everybody sees while gossip, lust or pride is unseen. So a person could be praying for someone else at church, but at home they’re viewing pornography? God looks at the heart. I’m surprised at this kind of attitude. The Bible says, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” – 1 Samuel 16:7.
