God does not hear the prayers of non believers?

Question

I have just been told this a few times in my previous question
is this in the scriptures please ?

and how would a non believer come to know God if their prayers arent heard ?

Answer 1

Why would a non believer pray to God?

Answer 2

John 9:31 declares, “We know that God does not hear sinners, but those who worship Him and do His will, those He hears.” It has also been said that "the only prayer that God hears from a sinner is the prayer for salvation." As a result of this Scripture, some believe that God does not hear and/or will never answer the prayers of an unbeliever. In context, though, the Scripture is saying that God does not perform miracles through an unbeliever. The following Scriptures describe God hearing and answering the prayers of an unbeliever. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us that God answers prayers based on whether they are asked according to His will. This principle, perhaps, applies to unbelievers. If an unbeliever asks a prayer of God that is according to His will, nothing prevents God from answering such a prayer – according to His will.

Answer 3

If you take a good look at people, do anybodies prayers get answered? I'm sure that everybody has prayed for wealth or world peace or good health or for an ill family member's recovery. I don't need to say anymore.



However, convincing us all that our fate depends entirely upon following one of the many religions is very confusing. I was brought up a Christian but I'm giving serious consideration to converting to Islam.



Your question. The supreme being hears all prayers, whether from believers or otherwise. It's not what we seek in this life that matters; it's how we behave. If prayers are answered then I suspect it's probably by coincidence. I am not a disbeliever, but I have learned that to progress spiritually we must all stop the greed and killing that this society demands

Answer 4

THe correct way of saying that is that God does not hear the prayer of a person with a divided mind. If you really want something for the good of something or somebody or other, God will hear you, but if your mind is still leaning towards your old ways (before you came to know God - like you hate this person, or you still want to do that, or "Why do I have to do that?"), then God won't be as willing to hear your prayer. A nonbeliever comes to know God when they know there's nothing else out there for them and they are ready to wholly accept Christ. They believe that only Jesus can forgive their sins and fill that hole in their heart, and then, they aren't nonbelievers anymore (because they now believe). Sorry I can't give you a Scripture reference right now; I don't have my Bible handy. I'll check later tonight and add to my answer when I do find a reference or two.

Answer 5

If such were 'true' - then how would God ever hear someone pray to ask for forgiveness? to become part of the family of God?



Did you know that there is a portion within the bible that was written by someone not a Jew or a Christian? There is. God clearly paid attention to him.



There is also the problem for those that want to suggest such the portion of scripture that states:



Joh 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world so that He should judge the world, _but_ so that the world shall be saved through Him. (Analytical-Literal Translation)



Anyone that told you this I sure thinks such is true - but when looking at scripture - shows that the person just needs more study within the scriptures.

Answer 6

If there is prayer, then God must hear it (if he is a just and loving God).



It doesn't matter whether the person praying is a 'believer' or just someone who's feeling lonely and taking a shot at sending out a prayer to whoevers out there. God will hear the prayer (according to every definition of God I've ever heard), and answer (but may not be heard).

Answer 7

My belief in God is that he doesn't mind if people don't believe in him, so of course he listens to their prayers. Not believing doesn't make you a 'sinner' in my view - everyone is different, as long as you're not hurting anyone you're not doing wrong.



I believe in God but I never feel like my prayers are answered. Maybe they're just answered in ways I don't know about yet. I think it's the same for atheists



Someone made an interesting point - technically there's no such thing as a prayer from a non-believer. Perhaps if people do pray, there must be an element of belief, or at least hope, in there?



I've yet to meet an atheist who truly seems to disbelieve - they always seem to give themselves away by commenting on God! My dad and someone I work with claims to be an atheist - yet they're always saying things like "God isn't listening, he doesn't care". Which suggests to me they do have belief, but no faith. I still think God takes care of them.



And as you said - non-believers do come to know God - you hear of it, people having sudden miraculous revelations out of nowhere. God is listening to all of us, but not everyone's listening to him!



Chalice

Answer 8

Atheists, have already decided He doesn't exist.

Agnostics are prepared to believe a 'Creator' could exist but see no proof either way!

Other religions pray to whoever or whatever they believe in.

Only Christians Jews and Muslims pray to the 'Biblical' God whatever name they give to the 'Group' they belong to!

All believe in the GOD of ABRAHAM

I think the 'Christian' (New Testament)and 'Jewish' (Old Testament) actually say's that God hears all prayers and welcomes those that search for him. Don't know what the 'Muslim' or 'later' Jewish Holy books say as I've never read them!

I think it's the ones who are 'unrighteous' He isn't supposed to hear.

If you are praying to 'test' him then you must surely believe He exists and may get an answer but would you recognise it?

Answer 9

Yes, God hears the prayers of non-believers. It is the non believer who has to believe that God hears their prayer, God listens whether you believe He does or not. You have to believe that what you are praying for that God knows what is best for your situation and unanswered prayers may be the outcome. For instance, if you pray for someone else to be saved; you can pray for them, you can believe they will be saved, but ultimately it is up to that individual to accept Christ. If you pray for something that is against Gods word, you can expect for that prayer to go unanswered as well.



I hope this helps, and trust; God would not avoid those who don't believe in Him, that is the ones He is trying to reach out to the most.

Answer 10

That is not true. I'm a Christian and I hate for other Christians to say that God will not hear a non-believer's prayers. God is love itself and he loves believers and non-believers the exact same. God loves to hear from all of us. It is true though that he can't do too much for you until you acknowledge that you are a sinner but I believe he will still hear you.

Answer 11

Actually, God doesn't hear anyone's prayers. Test after test has proven prayer is totally ineffective in achieving the desired results. It's the same as random chance.



A lot of Christians believe that God answers prayers in three ways - Yes, No, and Wait. Well, that's a pretty safe belief since it can never be challenged,



Using the very same principle, I can guarantee that I could answer any of your prayers as well as God does. My answer is either Yes, No, or Wait.



And there's no way to prove me wrong.

Answer 12

Good question. It is in Scripture. Here are some verses that attest to the fact that only the prayers of the righteous are heard: Ps 34.15-16, Isa 1.15, 65.24, Dan 9.23, Prov 15.29, Jn 9.31



It is unlikely that a non-believer would be found praying to partially answer the second part of your question. But to really answer it I would say the individual must first come to faith by hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of their sin, and THEN asking God (prayer) to come into their hearts and let them be given faith and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 13

No I wouldn't say God doesn't hear the prayers of nonbelievers, not at all.



Your question asked about offering prayers up to other "gods". There aren't any other gods. If I was one of the people who answered you, I answered from scripture about idols who have eyes, but cannot see and ears, but they cannot hear.



Therefore, those who are offering prayers to idols...their prayers are not being heard.



Absolutely God will hear you if you speak to Him.

Answer 14

Well Freya all i can say is I'm glad God heard my prayer or i would be a poor lost soul or worse the way i was going..i just knew inside i needed/wanted to ask Jesus into my life, it was all very simple...we are all God's children and He wants us back..of-course He hears all prayers..

Answer 15

Do you mean like a shot in the dark prayer (a prayer said on the offchance that there might be a God there)?

Well if thats what you mean then yes I think he would hear them but whether he answers them is another thing, it depends what they ask for really.

Answer 16

God shows mercy everyone, even to people in Hell. Even though, they don't pray, when they are in trouble, God will help them. But they don't want to see it.



A mother can understand this best. When one of her kids did something very bad, really very bad, She will punish the kid because of being just to all kids, but she will still love that kid.



Edit: People sometimes don't pray. They try to test God. When they don't get what they want, they say "my prayer isn't heart".

Answer 17

you're ultimate. God hears all human beings speaking or questioning. yet He basically solutions people who basically seek for Him. They don’t would desire to be born back Christians. How would desire to absolutely everyone grow to be a Christian from being a non-Christian if He did not pay attention their prayers?

Answer 18

If god doesn't hear the prayers of non believers then I'd say he's cutting his nose off to spite his face

Answer 19

1 Kings 8:38. what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, (or) by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house: 39. then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)



God Knows are hearts even the non-believers. He listens to all prayers. Some just don't get answers, but not because they don't believe its just he has a different plan for them.

Answer 20

Anyone who prays to God is NOT a non-believer. So technically, there's no such thing as the prayer of a non-believer.

Answer 21

God hears all prayers....anyone who quotes the Bible saying differently is distorting truth.



Peace, Love, and Blessings

Greenwood

Answer 22

Why so many thumbs down for the statements that 'Non-believers do not pray.?'

If they pray, they must be believers, otherwise what would be the point?

Oh, I see, you mean atheists 'try' a prayer to check God out..

'Please let me win the lottery this weekend'...I didn't so there must be no God.

THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS!!!

Answer 23

Actually it's God's face is turned from the prayers of sinners but he hears the prayers of the righteous. The righteous being those born again into christans( those that become christlike)

Answer 24

That is what is technically known as mumbo-jumbo.



In order for that statement to have any validity at all, the listener must accept that the Christian idea of God is correct. Then the Christian God is the definition of "God", and the Christian can proceed to control the mind of the listener by speaking for God.

Answer 25

Look Please believe me when I say God hears all prayers! And he loves everyone. How could you come to know him if he didn't hear prayers? He loves you. That's why your asking these questions. You fell him asking you to trust him. Trust him.

Answer 26

GOD HEARS ALL OF OUR PRAYERS,BELIEVER AND

NONE

Prayer

M't:7:7: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

M't:7:8: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

M't:7:9: Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

M't:7:10: Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

M't:7:11: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Answer 27

God hears prayers from EVERYONE.

Answer 28

God does not hear the pray of sinners UNTIL they repent and ask Jesus to be their personal Saviour.



It's God's way or no way.



Up date:



flindo61 (4 below me), you have taken the Bible out of context.



The proof is in Psalms 66:18: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"



Therefore proving UNTIL a "lost" person REPENTS of their sins before God, Christ Jesus, you will not be heard. But even then, this verse is still true with Christians'.



Chalice (5 below me), I'm sorry but base on the Word of God, unbelief is the number one reason why people go to hell. Whether a person goes to heaven or hell is by no means base on "I think" or "I feel". It is base solely on choice.



Compare what you wrote to what the Bible say: "Not believing doesn't make you a 'sinner' in my view - everyone is different, as long as you're not hurting anyone you're not doing wrong."





"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge?" Psalms 14:1-4



"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:6-9



"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6



"...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) " 2 Corinthians 6:2



"...prepare to meet thy God," Amos 4:12



"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:9-13

Answer 29

It is not for any man to say what God does or does not hear.

Answer 30

god hears all prayers, believers or not, as he does not judge people, if you ask him for help then you will recieve it.

Answer 31

i get what your saying...and i can say out of my own experance that even though i dont have a full belife in god i was told to pray...my dad always says to pray and then mabey one dady my ears will be opend...still struggling with it but i do pray

Answer 32

God doesn't hear your words, He hears your heart.

Answer 33

NON BELIEVERS DO NOT PRAY! If you pray then you believe and God WILL answer your prayers..TRUST ME!

Answer 34

Er, of course non-believers don't pray. What were you thinking?

Answer 35

Stop saying non believers. Its rude.



Why would a nonChristian pray to the Christian god about ANYTHING?

Answer 36

he says "no". you're not under Spiritual contract (born again). God does things according to law. You have a contract, you don't break it (don't sin), and you're good. not under contract, the benefits don't apply.



you have to believe in order to be saved.

Answer 37

If someone does not believe in God, why would you be praying to Him?

Answer 38

non believers do not pray

Answer 39

Yeah.....God doesn't answer any of them. Here is a really great study: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?ex=1301461200&en=4acf338be4900000&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Answer 40

Why would a nonbeliever be praying to god anyway? I sure as hell don't....

Answer 41

Why would a non believer pray?

Answer 42

Non-believers don't pray to God. They are intelligent.