Post by lovelace on Feb 1, 2006 9:41:40 GMT -5
Question: "Does God hear / answer the prayers of a sinner / unbeliever?”
Answer: Who are some different unbelievers that had their prayer answered? In examining the following passages (which I am sure are not exhaustive), in most of these cases prayer was involved. In one or two, God responded to the cry of the heart (it is not stated whether that cry was directed toward God). I have heard from various pulpits the statement that "the only prayer that God hears from a sinner is the prayer for salvation" (or something like that). However, I believe it goes beyond that according to the below verses. In some of these cases, the prayer seems to be combined with repentance. But in other cases, the prayer was simply for an earthly need or blessing, and God responded either out of compassion or in response to the genuine seeking or faith of the person.
Here are some passages dealing with prayer by a unbeliever. In each of the following, the person (or persons) involved is given, the passage where their prayer or cry is mentioned is listed, and the prayer request made is stated.
The people of Ninevah; Jonah 3:5-10; that Ninevah might be spared.
Hagar and Ishmael; Genesis 21:14-19; not so much a prayer as a cry of the heart concerning her son who was close to death.
Ahab; 1 Kings 21:17-29; esp. v. 27-29; Ahab fasts and mourns over Elijah's prophecy concerning his posterity. God responds by not bringing about the calamity in Elijah's time.
The woman from Tyre and Sidon area; Mark 7:24-30; that Jesus would deliver her daughter from a demon.
Cornelius, the Roman centurion; Acts 10; prayer request is not stated (Acts 10:30), but he is shown the way of salvation.
God does make promises that I believe are applicable for all (saved and unsaved alike) such as Jeremiah 29:13: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." This I believe was the case for Cornelius in Acts 10:1-6. But there are many promises that according to the context of the passages, are for Christians alone. Because Christians have allowed Christ's payment to be applied to their hearts and His righteousness as well, we are encouraged to come boldly unto the throne of grace (robed in His righteousness) to find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are told that when we ask for anything according to God's will, He hears and gives us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15). There are so many other promises for Christians concerning prayer as well (Matthew. 21:22; John 14:13; John 15:7). But, I believe that in His grace and mercy, God will intervene in the lives of unbelievers in response to their prayers from time to time.
Answer: Who are some different unbelievers that had their prayer answered? In examining the following passages (which I am sure are not exhaustive), in most of these cases prayer was involved. In one or two, God responded to the cry of the heart (it is not stated whether that cry was directed toward God). I have heard from various pulpits the statement that "the only prayer that God hears from a sinner is the prayer for salvation" (or something like that). However, I believe it goes beyond that according to the below verses. In some of these cases, the prayer seems to be combined with repentance. But in other cases, the prayer was simply for an earthly need or blessing, and God responded either out of compassion or in response to the genuine seeking or faith of the person.
Here are some passages dealing with prayer by a unbeliever. In each of the following, the person (or persons) involved is given, the passage where their prayer or cry is mentioned is listed, and the prayer request made is stated.
The people of Ninevah; Jonah 3:5-10; that Ninevah might be spared.
Hagar and Ishmael; Genesis 21:14-19; not so much a prayer as a cry of the heart concerning her son who was close to death.
Ahab; 1 Kings 21:17-29; esp. v. 27-29; Ahab fasts and mourns over Elijah's prophecy concerning his posterity. God responds by not bringing about the calamity in Elijah's time.
The woman from Tyre and Sidon area; Mark 7:24-30; that Jesus would deliver her daughter from a demon.
Cornelius, the Roman centurion; Acts 10; prayer request is not stated (Acts 10:30), but he is shown the way of salvation.
God does make promises that I believe are applicable for all (saved and unsaved alike) such as Jeremiah 29:13: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." This I believe was the case for Cornelius in Acts 10:1-6. But there are many promises that according to the context of the passages, are for Christians alone. Because Christians have allowed Christ's payment to be applied to their hearts and His righteousness as well, we are encouraged to come boldly unto the throne of grace (robed in His righteousness) to find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are told that when we ask for anything according to God's will, He hears and gives us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15). There are so many other promises for Christians concerning prayer as well (Matthew. 21:22; John 14:13; John 15:7). But, I believe that in His grace and mercy, God will intervene in the lives of unbelievers in response to their prayers from time to time.
