I made the comment in Bible Study that He does not; an elder said, "What about Cornelius?"

Any thoughts?

-- Anonymous, October 25, 2000

Answers

Duane,

As I see it, it is not so much that God does not answer a sinner's (unbeliever's prayer) - it's more like He is not Obligated to answer an unbeliever's prayer. He may or may not choose to do so based on His omniscience. Since He knows the hearts & minds of men, I do find it hard to believe that God would refuse an honest request made to Him concerning the sinner's salvation (though I doubt He would fulfill the selfish request for a new Cadillac).

Cornelius is a good example of God answering the honest request of an unbeliever for knowledge of God. I also have a feeling that the Ethiopian Eunich had probably made a similar request of God - leading Him to send Phillip to teach him the Way.

Here's an earthly father/child situation that might show what I mean........A neighbor boy is outside playing and comes to up me and makes a request (drink of water, pump up a bike tire, etc.). Technically, he does not belong to me so I really have no obligation to fulfill his request - only his own father does. But if the request is in the child's best interest, I would normally give him the water or pump up his tire.

The Bible is clear in the fact that God hears and answers the prayers of His own children (believers), but for those outside of Christ - it's strictly God's call. In this case I would be very uncomfortable with saying a definite "Yes" or "No", because that would be placing a restraint on God that I have no right to place.

With all that said, if you refer to one praying "the Sinner's Prayer" for salvation (Faith Only doctrine) - that is another matter. God did not answer Cornelius' and the Eunich's prayer by instantly saving them - He answered them by sending a person to teach them God's plan of salvation (faith, confession, repentance, Baptism) which they followed faithfully. God didn't circumvent his established plan for those 2 and there is no reason to assume that he would start doing so now.

I hope this provides something for you to chew on,

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2000

In the case of Cornelius, There is apparent reason, that God answered his prayer in that he was a seeker for the truth and was ready to hear all that he needed to. I would that all men would be seekers for the truth that they might be taught what they must do to be saved. And? Bro. Jack

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2000

Proverbs 28: 9
He that turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer shall be abomination. A lesson to be learned.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 2000

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I thank God for his grace and mercy.My answer to this question is that if He does not, there would be NO prayers answered and prayer would be a useless exercise of futility. I John 1:8-9 tell s me : "IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US. "IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HEIS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS" "IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT SINNED, WE MAKE HIM A LIAR AND HIS WORD IS NOT IN US"

To take it on a different hypothesis,If God does not hear prayers of sinners, why does the Word tell us to confess and pray for forgiveness of our sins, cleansing from sin and for restooration to the Fellowship? In the OT, David is one example of a sinner whose prayers were answered. Psalms 51 deals with that. This was after his great sins of adultry and murder. Since we are in this human flesh, we sin so I thank God for his grace and mercy. God bless you all Bob McCain

-- Anonymous, October 27, 2000

Two quick points:

1. If you mean we must be sinless for God to answer prayer Bob McCain is right - we would all be lost. If you mean, "Does God hear and answer the prayers of unbelievers?", the question may be moot. If an unbeliever, how and why and to whome would they pray? If they utter a true prayer to God, they must believe in the God they address. Otherwise it is not a prayer, but rather a sham addressed to the walls or the audience.

2. Even for a believer, God sometimes answers with a firm, "No" or a "Not yet". That may not be the answer we want, but it is an answer.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2000

WHEN A SINNER PRAY TOBE SAVE HE HEAR THEM.IKNOW HE ANSWER OUR PRAY YES ARE NOT YET. THE LORD KNOW WHEN WE ARE SINCERTY.WHEN A SINNER CRY OUT FOR ANYTHING HE KNOW WHO HIS LORD IS.

-- Anonymous, December 02, 2000