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God Answers Prayer. God answers the prayers of 1) those who seek Him, 2) those who confess their sins and repent and 3) those who are righteous. Does God hear the prayers of non-Christians? According to Jeremiah 29:13. God says He will hear the prayer of any who seek Him and He proves it in Acts 10:31. This passage is a wonderful example of God answering the prayer of an unbeliever whose name is Cornelius. How else shall a man or woman be saved except to call on the name of the Lord.
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Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will
listen to you. 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search
for Me with all your heart. (NASB) Jeremiah 29:12-13
'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been
remembered before God. (NASB) Acts 10:31 |
Yet, God will reject the prayers of Christians who are in sin. Saul is an example of this in Samuel 14:37. A husband who does not honor his wife is another example.
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And Saul inquired of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines?
Wilt Thou give them into the hand of Israel?" But He did not answer
him on that day. (NASB) 1 Samuel 14:37
You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding
way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant
her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your
prayers may not be hindered. (NASB) 1 Peter 3:7 |
The only prayer of a sinning Christian God will listen to is one
of confession. A familiar Old Testament example of this is found
in 2 Chronicles,
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My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray,
and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will
hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their
land. (NASB) 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Conclusion: God does hear the prayers of unbelievers and sinning believers. God will listen and respond to anyone who is seeking forgiveness of his/her sins. He will listen and answer anyone who really seeks Jesus. God will reject the prayers of Christians who are not repenting of their sins. God does answer the prayers of the righteous that are according to His will.
If you feel like God is not listening to your prayers or you
believe God is not answering your prayers, look for sin in your
life. Ask God to help you see it. Seek Him and admit your wrong
- admit you are a sinner. If you are not a Christian, ask Jesus to forgive your sins. If you are sincere, He looks past your words and into your heart
and forgives your sin. He will listen to you! |
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