One time I was asked along with 40 or so other people to write an article about the Power of Prayer for the Washington Times newspaper. The contributors were very well known Christian leaders.
The Times is the 14th most read newspaper in the world and this special prayer section was presented in a 42 page insert and widely distributed across the country and around the world. My article was entitled, “The Sound of a Billion Prayers” and was in reference to the power of prayer within the Jesus Alliance. To tell the truth I didn’t think there was much chance anyone would read it, after all I’m no celebrity and there were plenty of other articles from which to choose, but yesterday I received the following letter:
“I recently read an article about you in the Washington Times, Power of Prayer section. I was intrigued by the sound of a billion prayers. I went through a divorce 13 years ago and have been having difficulty getting back on my feet. I wondered if I need a billion prayers to help me or just one. Well, I feel like I am at the lowest point of my life right now and need some help and support. Is there someone I can talk to?
“I immediately began the process of reaching out to this lady and told her I will be happy to talk to her about it.
While a billion is commendable, God hears every single prayer and I have no doubt He heard and answered her prayer so no matter where she resides I can help her find a church or someone to assist in her recovery.
Isn’t it marvelous that Almighty God – King of Kings – Creator of everything seen and unseen hears every prayer offered to Him. The Bible describes it this way in Matthew 10:29 : “Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered . . .”
God loves this lady and hears every prayer no matter what method of praying you use: speaking, singing, or thinking.
The question is does God answer them, especially those of unbelievers. God of course is sovereign and cannot be put into a single mold, but the Bible is clear that some prayers will not be answered such as those prayers:
- That have personal and selfish motives – You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures
(James 4:3). - Who regard iniquity in their hearts – If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18).
- Who remain in sin – But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2). Now we know that God does not hear sinners;
but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him (John 9:31). - Who reject God’s call – Because I [Wisdom] have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke . . . Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me (Proverbs 1:24-25, 28).
- Who will not heed God’s law – One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination (Proverbs 28:9). “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 7:11-13).
- Who turn a deaf ear to the cry of the poor – Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, Will also cry himself and not be heard. (Proverbs 21:13).
- Who are violent – When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:15; see also 59:2-3).
- Who have no faith – But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7).
- Who are self-righteous – The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 18:11-14).
So, does God answer the prayers of believers? Yes: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:15
What about the prayers of unbelievers? I would think that based on the foregoing God would not; answer the prayers of unbelievers except when they are praying for salvation or repentance.
II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers of the people offered in this place.