Does God hear the prayers of unbelievers? [Spirituality & Religion]
For the answer, we look to God’s Word.
Jesus once said, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37b). However, one who has never trusted in Jesus as his personal Savior, should be reminded that if his only point in prayer is to relieve his mind of problems and secure benefits, this will not gain the desired objective.
John 9:31 says that God does not perform miracles through an unbeliever. However, nothing prevents God from answering their prayer of repentance to receive salvation.
The Bible teaches us that prayer is the privilege of those who have become the children of God (John 1:12). The Psalm writer tells us: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry...” (Psalm 34:15).
In the New Testament, there are a few examples of prayers spoken by unbelievers, such as the thief on the cross who prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). There is the prayer of the tax collector, who prayed simply, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13b).
There are also the prayers of Cornelius, the Roman centurion, who had come to believe in the God of Israel. God heard the prayers and sent the apostle Peter to Cornelius with the good news about Jesus in order that he might be saved (Acts, chapter 10).
From these instances, we see that the prayers of those who were not followers of God, were calls upon God for mercy, acceptance, and repentance. One can pray such a prayer, with the confidence that God will answer and receive him or her by His grace, into the assurance of salvation and eternal life.
If you have received Christ as your Savior, you have the privilege to talk freely with God, because He is your Heavenly Father, and you are His child. If you have never received Christ, you may make your commitment to God, by turning from sin, trusting Christ to forgive you, and inviting Jesus to come into your life as your Savior and Lord. When you do this, you become a member of God’s own family.
Jesus once said, “Whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37b). However, one who has never trusted in Jesus as his personal Savior, should be reminded that if his only point in prayer is to relieve his mind of problems and secure benefits, this will not gain the desired objective.
John 9:31 says that God does not perform miracles through an unbeliever. However, nothing prevents God from answering their prayer of repentance to receive salvation.
The Bible teaches us that prayer is the privilege of those who have become the children of God (John 1:12). The Psalm writer tells us: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry...” (Psalm 34:15).
In the New Testament, there are a few examples of prayers spoken by unbelievers, such as the thief on the cross who prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). There is the prayer of the tax collector, who prayed simply, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13b).
There are also the prayers of Cornelius, the Roman centurion, who had come to believe in the God of Israel. God heard the prayers and sent the apostle Peter to Cornelius with the good news about Jesus in order that he might be saved (Acts, chapter 10).
From these instances, we see that the prayers of those who were not followers of God, were calls upon God for mercy, acceptance, and repentance. One can pray such a prayer, with the confidence that God will answer and receive him or her by His grace, into the assurance of salvation and eternal life.
If you have received Christ as your Savior, you have the privilege to talk freely with God, because He is your Heavenly Father, and you are His child. If you have never received Christ, you may make your commitment to God, by turning from sin, trusting Christ to forgive you, and inviting Jesus to come into your life as your Savior and Lord. When you do this, you become a member of God’s own family.
