In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24). If you have deliberately wronged someone and have not made restitution, you can offer all the sacrifices you want. But what God really wants you to do is reconcile with your brother.

At first, Jesus' words may sound strange. Why shouldn't God hear our prayers when we are in need of another person's forgiveness? After all, our heavenly Father is in the forgiveness business. That's what makes a relationship with Him possible in the first place. But once we've been reconciled to God, He calls us to reconcile with everyone else we know. And that is why if you have wronged someone and have not taken care of that wrong by making restitution, the Bible feels so heavy. You may avoid reading the Word of God, and your prayer life is crippled. Your lines of communication with the Lord have come down.