Are Prayers of the Unsaved Heard by God?

The way I would answer that would be in two ways. I would say, yes, he does and, no, he doesn't, and, of course, the yes is obvious. I mean, the eyes of the Lord are on every place. He sees the evil and the good. He knows all things. God is the creator of the universe. Every idle word that men speak will need to be accounted for on the day of judgment. God knows everything that comes out of everybody's lips, so, yes, he hears, but if by hearing you mean does God answer the prayers of the unsaved, this is where I would go into the category of the no rather than the yes for these scriptural reasons. 

I think Isaiah 59:2 addresses this, where God says, "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you that he will not hear." Notice that he will not hear. He'll hide his face from you, Isaiah 59:2, so he's talking to a sinful people who have sinful motives that can't be praying in accord with the will of God. 

Even the Jews say in John 9 that God hears not sinners, so there was an understanding in Jewish theology that God is not communing with the unconverted, even though the unconverted may think that they can address God any way they choose, and that God is just waiting like a waiter to serve them. The reason God won't be answering prayers of that sort is found in James4:3; “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” 

Any request from the unconverted, aside from one seeking forgiveness, would be from a wrong motive. That isn’t right in the sight of God. They wouldn’t be praying that His will be done, because they are not inclined to DO His will. For the most part, the unconverted are praying not that HIS will be done, but “MY” will be done, and Jesus says in the Sermon of the Mount in Matthew 6, "They think that because of their repetitive prayers."  They're praying often, "that they're heard," but simply because they pray so frequently or they pray repetitively, doesn’t mean God is obliged to answer. It's a rhetorical question. Jesus says, "No, God doesn't hear the prayers of those."

There's many examples where God does not hear the prayers of the unconverted. Another good one would be on 1 Peter 3:12, where it says the eyes of the Lord are in every place and the ears are open unto all of them that are righteous. The ears of the Lord are open, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, so, again, there's a direct scripture that says God's eyes or ears are open to those that are righteous. James 5:16 says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

The way I see it, the unsaved want the benefits of being a Christian without paying for it. Christ paid the price owed, but the unsaved balk at making any lasting commitment to the Lord in exchange for having their prayers answered, and even then, as believers find out, He doesn’t always answer.

Jesus says when you pray, the model prayer begins with what? Our Father who art in heaven. Can just any person call God their father who is in heaven? No, they can't call God honestly, sincerely, and genuinely their father unless they have received the spirit of adoption which enables them to call God their father. The new birth generates new life and a new family unity that they never previously possessed, so you must be born again. You have to have new birth. You have to be in the family of God to expect the father of the family to be hearing your prayers, and that's not to say that even the prayers of Christians are always heard in the sense that they're going to be answered according to their desires, because God can supersede what we think and answer it the way he wants to and to answer it or not answer it according to his own purposes, and hopefully, if we're biblically informed enough, we're willing to say, "Not my will, but yours be done." 

 

Scriptures on the Prayers of Sinners

“We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” ~ John 9:31

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” ~ Psalm 66:18

 

 

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ~ 1 Peter 3:12

 

“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” ~ Isaiah 59:2

 

                  Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: www.christianity.com

7 Proofs Our Salvation is Eternally Secure - 7

7. Christ has promised not to cast us out

 

John 6:37 says: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and him who comes to Me I shall by no means cast out.”

What a precious, unconditional promise from our Savior!  He will never cast out or reject those who have come to Him. We can fully trust in Him and His Word to know our salvation is eternally secure. So we shouldn’t live our Christian life in constant fear and doubt. Our salvation is eternally secure, and we can and should trust in the Word of God, which assures us of this fact. 

“According to biblical teachings, once a person accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord, they become eternally part of God’s family. This means that believers are children of God and members of His family forever, regardless of their actions or sins. However, believers can fall out of fellowship with the church or God due to sin, which can result in consequences such as being handed over to Satan for discipline. This does not mean they are cast out of God's family but rather that they are experiencing divine discipline to bring them back to a right relationship with God. The ultimate goal of such discipline is repentance, reconciliation, and restoration, not destruction.”

Since we’ve already discussed the fact that God never changes in any way, we can rely on His promises. He is reliable, making Him trustworthy. Our creator has a very high level of integrity that we must imitate. As I like to say: “It is never right to do wrong, and it is never wrong to do right.”  Our Heavenly Father ALWAYS does what is right. And everything that happens in this life happens for a specific reason and purpose, most of the time the WHY is known only to God. 

So if Jesus Himself said that there would never be a reason that He would cast you out of God’s family you can count on that to be true, because throughout the Bible you will find NO lies or deception coming from any part of the Holy Trinity. What they say they mean and at the right moment in time all that has been promised shall come to pass. So rest easy, take comfort in these 7 reasons that reveal our salvation is ETERNALLY SECURE. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/eternal-security-verses/

Resources: ebible.com, chrisitianity.com, pilotonline.com, gotquestions.org.

7 Proofs Our Salvation is Eternally Secure – 6

6. God never changes

Hebrews 13:8 says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, even forever.”

Everything changes: people, circumstances, environments, the weather. Even our own emotions fluctuate constantly; we can be up one minute and down the next. But our salvation doesn’t hinge on our feelings. God never changes, neither does His salvation, and neither does His love for us. 

“The concept that God never changes is a fundamental belief in Christianity, rooted in several biblical passages. Malachi 3 states, "For I the Lord do not change," and James 1 emphasizes that God is "the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." These verses affirm God's immutability, meaning that His nature and attributes remain constant.

This belief in God's unchanging nature provides comfort and stability in a world of constant change. It means that God's love, faithfulness, mercy, justice, and power are the same as they were when the universe was created. His promises and covenant with humanity also remain unbroken, offering assurance and hope.” ^[1]

            God’s grand plan from the foundations of the world has not changed. Knowing His creation would disobey, He provided a singular sacrifice that would pay the cost of all our sins. The perfection of God realized in His own Son; the second person of the Trinity with all the traits and abilities of the Father. Christ laid down His own life once for all time ushering in the Age of Grace. This is not something that is temporal; it is eternal. God doesn’t take back that which He promises. If you confess your sins and receive Christ into your heart/life, that is eternal with eternal repercussions. Missing heaven is not to be a concern for the true, bible believing individual who’s life, once transformed, lives for the King ... now and forevermore.

So in summary, the belief that God never changes is a cornerstone of Christian theology, providing a stable foundation for faith in an ever-changing world.

            Rejecting Christ along with God’s redemptive plan, voids out the gift. Until time is no more, there is always an opportunity to receive forgiveness. Be very careful not to cast aside your only hope for eternal salvation. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] https://www.fromhispresence.com/you-may-change-but-god-never-changes/

Source: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/eternal-security-verses/

7 Proofs Our Salvation is Eternally Secure – 5

5. God keeps us in His hand

John 10:28-29 says: “And I give to them eternal life, and they shall by no means perish forever, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father…is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

All kinds of things may try to snatch us from the Father’s hand—sin, the world, difficulties, even Satan himself. But in these verses, Jesus assures us by saying that it’s impossible for us to be snatched away. No one and nothing is stronger than God. Now we can jump out of His hand; that would be walking away from your faith. But in the normal realm of things, you are ALWAYS in the very palm of His hand.

“The phrase "in God's hand" in scripture is often used as figurative language to convey a deeper meaning rather than a literal physical act. This symbolic language is common throughout the Bible, where metaphors and figures of speech are used to express God's care, guidance, or control over His people. For example, Isaiah 49 uses the image of God's hand to illustrate His unwavering presence and protection. Similarly, the Bible frequently employs the imagery of hands and arms to represent God's power and action, which is understood as figurative language meant to convey spiritual truths rather than literal physical actions.” ^[1]

                  Figurative or not, the message conveyed is one that helps galvanize the thought that we are eternally secure in the hand of God.  What we go thru in this life is meant to help mature us as followers of Christ. We do not need to be concerned about our salvation if we are true believers and not one who sits on the fence. For those who truly, and sincerely believe and wish to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, you must spend each day mindful of the image you are projecting to the world. While you certainly ca, DO YOU make some sort of difference in your sphere of influence? Can others tell there is something different about you simply by observing your life? THAT is what we are to strive for each day. Being Jesus to the masses around us. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] https://www.preservedwords.com/kjcosmo/1a-figurative.html

Source: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/eternal-security-verses/

7 Proofs Our Salvation is Eternally Secure - 4

4. We have become God’s children

 

John 1:12-13 says: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name, who were begotten…of God.”

When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we were saved from eternal perdition. But that’s not all. These verses tell us we were also begotten of God to be His children. This is something that can’t be undone. We all know that children misbehave from time to time. But no matter how much they may misbehave; their bad behavior can never negate the fact that they were born of their parents. Even when children are disciplined, that discipline doesn’t undo their relationship with their parents. In the same way, our sins and failures can’t negate the fact that we’re born of God and are children of God. We may sometimes require God’s discipline, but we’ll always be God’s children, born of His divine life.

                  Wait, do you mean even murderers and rapists can become children of God? Yes, if they repent and turn from their wicked ways they too could become children of God. They will undoubtedly end up facing the consequences of their sin(s), but their eternal destination will have been secured. It all has to do with the heart; something God sees clearly, and we do not

Scripture talks about people repenting on their death bed. Maybe this individual was one of the most evil persons in the world, yet on their death bed they have an epiphany. * His life passes before his eyes, and he realizes what he’s done all his life and asks God to forgive him. God knows this person’s heart and knowing their sincerity, forgives him. He has just become a child of God. 

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your life, God loves you and wishes to forgive you. All you need to do is ask for it with a sincere and sorrowful heart. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/eternal-security-verses/

* Epiphany: A sudden insight or intuitive understanding.

7 Proofs Our Salvation is Eternally Secure - 3

3. God is righteous in saving us

Psalm 89:14 says: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.”

God’s throne is immovable and unshakable because the foundation of His throne is His righteousness*. His love motivated Him to save us from eternal judgment. But God’s righteousness is the base of His salvation. 

Many fear God’s righteousness and associate it with His wrath. His righteousness is indeed a fearful thing. Because God is righteous, He cannot tolerate or overlook sin; He’s bound to judge all unrighteousness. But God’s righteousness is also the base of our salvation, which is truly wonderful. 

Let’s see how this is so. Romans 6:23 says: “The wages of sin is death.” This means that all who sin must die. A righteous God has no other choice but to judge sinners and assign them their wages: eternal death. But the Lord Jesus came and bore the judgment of death for sinners on the cross. God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice as the full payment for our sins. Just as in a court of law, a judge can’t require a debt to be paid twice, God is bound by His righteousness to honor the price Christ paid for us. So if God wants His throne to stand, He must act in accordance with His righteousness. Since Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by dying in our place, God’s righteousness won’t allow Him to demand further payment from us. This means our salvation is secured by God’s righteousness; He can’t take it away from us. Praise Him for His righteousness! Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/eternal-security-verses/                                                                                               *Righteous: Morally upright; without guilt or sin. (American Heritage Dictionary)

7 Proofs Our Salvation is Eternally Secure - 2

2. God’s love for us is eternal

 

Jeremiah 31:3 says: “I have loved you with an eternal love.”

 

This verse says God loves us with a love that’s eternal. That means His love is unchanging. Human love can be fickle, but God’s love never changes; it doesn’t depend on what we do. God loves us eternally.  His love is unconditional.  Do you understand what that means? He doesn’t just know us; He knows us intimately.  He knows the motivation of our heart. Scripture says He has the very hairs on our head numbered. ^{(Luke 12:7)}

There is nothing in this world that could keep God from loving us. No matter what we do, He never STOPS loving us. Do you understand how long an eternity is? It’s defined as “time with no beginning or end.”  It is the time after death which goes on forever without end. Why would God say He loved us with an “eternal” love if we weren’t going to be with Him IN eternity? I understand that “talk is cheap”, but not so with Almighty God. Whatever He says He absolutely and unequivocally means without question. Eternity is an uncharted amount of time. I would think it would be incalculable. I mean, by what standard would you measure it? It isn’t possible. THAT is why we are considered “eternally secure”.  

The only way this isn’t true is in the unregenerate mind, the mind of one who refuses to accept the existence of an all-powerful Spirit-being. Do so at your own peril. That’s certainly not any kind of threat. It’s just to say are you really willing to throw away your soul based on personal discrepancies that haunt the deepest recesses of your mind? You better be sure, my friend, because your eternity is at stake. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/eternal-security-verses/