Does God hear everyone's Prayers?
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
Does God hear and answer the prayers of those who are outside the body of Christ?
Does God hear everyone's Prayers?
A. Some Prayers WILL NOT BE HEARD:
i) Proverbs 28:9..."He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Discussion: Example of one going away from God...wants God to give. But himself will not give humble obedience
Result: God looks upon his prayer as "abomination"
ii) Isaiah 1:15..."..yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear.."
Discussion: The terrible condition of God's disobedient people is magnified in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 59:1-2 is the best commentary on their condition.
Result: If they continued as they were, no prayer would be answered. If they changed their direction, God would hear (see Isaiah 1:16-20).
iii) Jeremiah 11:11; 14:10-12.. "..though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.."
v.l4..Jeremiah not to pray for them
Discussion: Again we have people who have turned from God to gods.
Jeremiah 14:10-12 describes their condition.
Result: Unless there was a major turn around in their attitude and response to the True God, there would be no hope for them.
iv) Ezekiel 8:18..."..Though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them"
Discussion: The entire chapter sets forth the sinful conduct of these people.
They had turned to idolatry and every form of its worship (see vv.3; 9-12; 16).
Result: How could one expect prayer from such people to rise up before God? The last part of verse 12 shows the abominable concepts they had. Without a tremendous change and utter forsaking of idolatrous ways. their prayers would not be heard.
v) Micah 3:4.."..Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them:"
Discussion: The last part of the verse declares why it was that God would not hear hem.
Result: Again we see people heading away from God. To such God will not respond.
vi) John 9:31.."..Now we know that God heareth not sinners..."
Discussion: Sometimes suggested that this is "uninspired 'therefore not truthful.
It is true that sometimes the words of Satan (like in Matthew 4) are included; and sometimes the false concepts of men (Sadducees who say: no resurrection) are introduced within the Bible text. If they are erroneous, the same Spirit who guided the Bible writer to record them, induces a rebuttal within the context.
In the context of John 9:31, there is no such rebuttal given. In light of the foregoing passages we can conclude that a person determined to live in sin and rebellion will not be heard.
The blind man was using logic to show that Christ could not do the things He did if He was "the sinner" they claimed He was. His argumentation harmonizes with the Old Testament examples we have given.
Result: Notice the last part of verse 31..
"but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."
*suggests familiarity with God's will
**parents had been Jews v.22
B. Some Bible Examples of Non-Christians Praying:
i)Saul of Tarsus: Acts 9; 22; 26.
His Situation: *Acts 9:1,2 persecuting Christians
*Acts 52:3-5..."..was zealous toward God.." **Acts 26:9-11.."1 verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth..."
**I Timothy l: 13.."..because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.."
Saul believed that He was serving the True God by raising opposition against the Christ and His people. His was a racing for God but in blindness or ignorance. Paul goes on to proclaim in I Timothy 1:13-16 how God forgave Him and included him.
The Facts:
a) Acts 9:3..on his way to Damascus to continue his work of persecution (keep above facts in mind)
b) Acts 9:3-4..Christ speaks to him
c) Acts 9:5-6..Exchange between them
d) Acts 9:6..Arise, go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
e) Acts 9:9..three days..no sight..no eat..nor drink"
f) Acts 9:11..Lord to Ananias.."..and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: FOR, BEHOLD, HE PRAYETH." There's a different person here then the O.T. sinners God does not hear.
g) Acts 9:12-16..Instructions to Ananias
h) Acts 22:16..What Ananias told Saul to do.. arise and be baptized...
i) Acts 9:18..he was..as a result: saved
Some Thoughts To Consider:
a) Was he praying? Yes, the Lord told Ananias he was. God acknowledged that!!!!! b) Could he pray through for salvation?
No, for he was to be told what he ought to do.
c) Was he a christian when he was praying?
No, for he had not yet become one.
d) Was he praying while totally intent on opposing God, with no intention of trying to serve Him? No. though in error about Christ, up until this time, he as sincerely seeking to please God.
e) Could he have been saved without anything other than prayer? No. the entire account and his own teaching show the necessity of change and obedience (cf. Romans 6:16-end).
ii)CORNELIUS: The Gentile: Acts 10; 11
His Situation:
a) Acts 10:1-2..a centurion ..of the Italian band (soldiers)
..devout with all house ..gave much alms to people ..AND PRAYED TO GOD ALWAYS
b) Acts 10:3-6..Angel appears in vision.."Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God"
..Instructed to send for Peter.. "he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do"
c) Acts 10:22..The men from Cornelius and what they thought of him
d) Acts 10:30..Cornelius explains why he called for Peter..."..I was fasting..and at the ninth hour I PRAYED in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me
e) Acts 10:31.."And said, Cornelius, ** THY PRAYER IS HEARD, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God."
f) Acts 10:32..again he is told to call for Peter "who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee."
g) Notice his attitude in v. 33.
h) As the account unfolds we see that He is commanded to be baptized (see Acts 10:47-48)
Some Thoughts To Consider:
a)Was he praying? Yes, it's mentioned several times.
b)Did God hear His Prayer? In Acts 10:4 it is declared as "come up for a memorial
before God"
In Acts 10:31 it is said: "Thy prayer is heard"
c)Was prayer alone the way to His salvation? No, obedience to the gospel was the route he had to take (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 1:5; Romans 16:25-26)
d)Was he praying while totally intent on opposing God, with no intention of trying to serve Him? No. here was a man intent on doing God's will. When told what to do, he was willing to do it.
WILL GOD HEAR HIS PEOPLE'S PRAYERS'
Should be No question about that.
a)THE ASSURANCES OF SCRIPTURE DECLARE HE DOES:
i)Read I Peter 3:12
ii)Consider: Matthew 7:7-8
b)THE ADMONITION TO PRAY DECLARES HE DOES
i)I Thess. 5:7..pray without ceasing
ii)James 5:13..1et him pray
iii)James 5:16..pray for one another
iv)Romans 12:12..continuing instant in prayer
But even God's children must remain faithful, and be faithful or else their prayers will be HINDERED. 1 Peter 3:7
Invitation:
Are you of the right attitude as Saul and Cornelius? Although a sinner, heard by God because of their disposition and attitude as they sought God.
They were only heard by God because of the willingness on their part to follow and do God's will. (AND THEY DID)
But, on the other hand, the scriptures clearly say that God will not hear the prayers of those who wish to leave God and live a sinful life contrary to his will.
As you read this, will do you know whether or not God will hear your prayers ?
If you are like Saul or Cornelius you will obey the Gospel BUT if you choose not to follow his will, then DON'T EXPECT GOD TO HEAR YOUR PRAYERS.
Truly separated from God.
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