Do you think God hears everyone’s prayers? More specifically does God hear unbeliever’s prayers? Why or why not?
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Do you think God hears everyone’s prayers? More specifically does God hear unbeliever’s prayers? Why or why not?
A prayer may seem to be heard (if it seems to have been answered ‘yes’, such as a healing), but Scripture makes it pretty clear that God does not listen to the prayer of the unrighteous (for example: Psalm 34:15-16, John 9:31)
God hears all prayers no matter who is praying. God chooses to answer the prayers of the unrighteous when it will glorify Him or possibly bring the unbeliever to see the truth. But it is His decision to turn a deaf ear upon the prayers of the unrighteous.
Gail, can you tell me what Scripture verse(s) lead you to this conclusion?
Would someone with no belief in God pray, unless they’re desperately trying only to ease a guilty conscience and yet with no regard to the Almighty? What about those who are devout but not Christian, i.e. devout Muslims, having a belief in God but unaware of the gospel? Agree with Tom above that the ungodly have no recourse to God in prayer, but there are many who fall between ungodly and Christian whom God hears. This based on the verse Tom cited, John 9:31: “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him” as well as Peter’s words in Acts 10: “”Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” For the Muslim, those having found no heart rest or satisfaction in Allah, still hungering for the living God. Although one can only come to the Father thru Christ and salvation is found only thru Christ, God hears the genuine prayer of those who hunger after Him, the Living God.
The word of God is clear on this topic. The sacrifice (prayer) of the wicked is an abomination to God Proverb 15:8-9. Having said this, God will listen to the wicked if he decides to look onto God for mercy. I mean for repentance and conversion. See Psalm 66:18,
God is God and I am not. He can do what ever he desires without my approval. God desire is for all to repenmt and be saved. He went so far as to send His son to die on the cross for the sin’s of the world. From the start of time on day one of creation until the last second of time when it is all over. Scripture is plain God cannot abide sin, it turns Him off. But He also looks at the heart of everyone and decides accordinly. If He wants to answer or not hear a prayer from anyone christian or not is up to Him.
The Scriptures already provided are adequate. However, we will add an additional dimension. Jesus says to the lost, about to be cast into Hell for eternity, in Matthew 7: 23, “I never knew you.” God listens to the prayers of His children. God is always listening for the prayer of anyone who wants sincerely to become His child, as confirmed by Romans 10: 13. He wants us “ALL” saved, as confirmed in II Peter 3: 9. However, we must introduce ourselves to Him. He will not force us. If we are not His children, we cannot expect Him to hear and answer our prayers as a Father. Prayer to a false god, such as Allah, Buddha, etc., does not get through to the real God. See Exodus 20: 3 – 5 and Exodus 6: 3.