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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
John 9:31 declares, "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will." It has also been said that "the only prayer that God hears from a sinner is the pra...
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Chris Eleam
Supporter
Does Jehovah listen to all prayers? Consider what he told rebellious Israelites in the days of the prophet Isaiah: “Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled.” (Isaiah 1:15) So certain actions can cause God not to listen to our prayers. For our prayers to be favorably heard by God, therefore, we must meet some basic requirements. A primary requirement is that we exercise faith. (Mark 11:24) The apostle Paul wrote: “Without faith it is impossible to please [God] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Having true faith is more than merely knowing that God exists and that he hears and answers prayers. Faith is proved by our actions. We must give clear evidence that we have faith by the way we live every day.—James 2:26. Jehovah also requires that those who approach him in prayer do so with humility and sincerity. Do we not have reason to be humble when speaking to Jehovah? When people have the opportunity to speak to a king or a president, they usually do so respectfully, acknowledging the ruler’s high position. How much more so should we be respectful when approaching Jehovah! (Psalm 138:6) After all, he is “God Almighty.” (Genesis 17:1) When we pray to God, the manner in which we approach him should show that we humbly recognize our position before him. Such humility will also move us to pray from our heart in sincerity, avoiding routine, repetitive prayers.—Matthew 6:7, 8. Another requirement for being heard by God is that we act in harmony with our prayers. Jehovah expects us to do all that is within our power to work at what we pray for. For example, if we pray, “Give us today our bread for this day,” we must work hard at whatever available job we are able to perform. (Matthew 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10) If we pray for help in overcoming a fleshly weakness, we must be careful to avoid circumstances and situations that could lead us into temptation. (Colossians 3:5) In addition to these basic requirements, there are questions about prayer that we need to have answered.
steven h
Supporter
God wants all his creation to turn back to him. We are all sinners, and the only way you can turn back is by praying and to ask him to show you the right way to live because nothing can be done without God with you. So if you say you're not a christian then you haven't found God yet, and by praying to him you are seeking him. If you do that with all your heart he will find you if you really want to know him. So, yes you can pray to God if you're not a christian.
Tom howard
Supporter
Does God hear (answer) the prayers of a sinner (unbeliever)? A bit oxymoronic, as an unbeliever is just that, someone who would not believe there is an existing God (Hebrews 11:6) to pray to in the first place. These are fools and not much hope for such.Psalm 53:1. So, all examples in the old testament bible of people praying to God are those that at least believe there is a God who can hear, thus showing some (mustard seed) amount of faith. Though, most likened God as unto, "gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device". Acts 17:29. But that was then, this is now. But at "...the times of 'this' ignorance God winked at; but 'now' commands all men every where to repent:" Acts 17:30. As now, He hears the prayer of 'repentant' sinner, but does not hear the prayers of those 'living' in sin, only those that do His will. John 9:31. This goes for the saint as it does also the sinner. John continues this truth in, 1 John 3:22. We receive "whatsoever we ask", if we do his will. What is His will? Keeping His commandments and doing those things that please Him." Sin does not please Him. James 1:6, "But let him ask in faith (which pleases Him), nothing wavering..."
Gregory latimer
Supporter
God does answer a sinner's prayer. I am a sinner and some of my prayers have been answered. We must pray when we sin, and when we do not sin. Our prayers show that we care about what is going on in this earth we live on.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
God listens to the sinners who confess that they are sinners and accept His pardon. (Rom. 10:13) Did not Christ give that promise in John 6:37? I am a living, breathing example of this!
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Does God hear (answer) the prayers of a sinner (unbeliever) Biblical perspectives suggest that while God is not obligated to answer the prayers of an unbeliever, He often does hear and respond, particularly when the prayer is for salvation, repentance, or sincere seeking. Generally, God does not answer requests from those who persist in wickedness, but His mercy can extend to anyone. The most commonly cited prayer God answers from a sinner is the cry for repentance and salvation. Examples include the Ninevites (Jonah 3) and the thief next to Jesus when he was being put to death. Luke 39:42–43 ESV: 39 "And one of the malefactors that were hanged railed on him, saying, 'Art not thou the Christ? Save thyself and us.' 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, 'Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.' 42 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. 43 And he said unto him, 'Verily I say unto thee, "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."'" God listen to sinners if they are repentant. Another case is that of Manasseh. He did what was bad in Jehovah's eyes, rebuilding the high places his father had destroyed, setting up altars to Baal, worshipping "all the army of the heavens," and building false religious altars in two temple courtyards. He made his sons pass through the fire, practised magic, employed divination, and promoted spiritistic practices. Manasseh also put the graven image of the sacred pole he had made into the house of Jehovah. He seduced Judah and Jerusalem "to do worse than the nations that Jehovah had annihilated from before the sons of Israel." Manasseh was also guilty of shedding a great quantity of innocent blood (2Ki 21:10-16). Manasseh was punished for paying no attention to Jehovah's message. However, while in captivity, Manasseh repented, humbled himself, and prayed to Jehovah. God heard his request for favour and restored him to the kingship in Jerusalem. 2 Ch 33:12, 13 ESV: "And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13, And he prayed unto him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah was God." Example 3 Ninevah: Jonah Chapter 3: 5-10 ESV: "And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 And the tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he made proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, 'Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water; 8 but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast, and let them cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?'" How did Jehovah react to the Ninevites' repentance? Jonah wrote: 10 "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not." These examples show that God does listen to sinners, but only if they repent of their sins. God observed the changes in those people and realised that the punishment he had intended for them would no longer be fitting. These were occasions to show divine mercy.
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