What is the advice for a man who prays but commits some sins, and why did his prayer not prevent him from doing what is wrong?

The questioner : A person says: I pray, but I commit some wrongs. What is your advice to me, and why did my prayer not prevent me from doing what is wrong?

The Shaykh : My advice to you is to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic), to be sincere in turning to Allah, to keep in mind the greatness of the One you have disobeyed and His punishment (Mighty and Majestic) for those who defy His command, and to read the words of Allah the Exalted: So seek forgiveness from Allah, ask Him for mercy, and fear His punishment. As for the fact that you pray and your prayer does not prevent you from doing what is wrong, perhaps there is a deficiency in your prayer. The prayer that prevents from indecency and wrongdoing is the complete prayer, performed in accordance with what came from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), with the presence of the heart and the performance of the actions as the Sunnah prescribed. Not every prayer prevents from indecency and wrongdoing; rather, it is the prayer that is established, which a person establishes in the manner that is required. Allah the Exalted said: meaning that the prayer which you have established prevents from indecency and wrongdoing.