Does God Hear Our Prayers?

It is imperative to mention prayers are not a way for us to get what we selfishly desire. As “true” Christians we shouldn’t be treating prayer or God for that matter like a genie in a bottle ready to grant our every wish.

Rather prayer is a means of communication regarding the will of our Lord in our everyday lives. Sure we are told in John 14:13 to ask anything in Jesus’ name and He will do it, however this is a message to those who “love Him and KEEP His commandments” (John 14:15) not those who are living in disobedience and sinful lifestyles. And because of this, in knowing God is in control Christians will pray according to His will and His purpose never their own (Matt. 6:10).

Having said that, there are a lot of truth from the bible that most people will refuse to accept. Whether it doesn’t fit in their lifestyles or just down-right offensive, because of sin the human race cannot embrace the truths of scripture unless they “truly” embrace Christ.

One of these truths, and this may offend many of you, is the fact God chooses whose prayers to listen to and whose prayers to ignore.

We would all like to think God hears us when we pray, especially in times of turmoil and distress. So the thought of He ignoring our cries for help with arms raised or on bent knees is outrageous and breaks our heart. But as hurtful as it may sound, according to scripture, it is whether we are living in obedience or disobedience to His Words that determines if He listens to our prayers or not.

For example

When Jesus healed the man who was blind since birth the religious hypocrites did not want to accept that it was Jesus who performed this miracle. From their warped point of view they believed He was a sinner because He healed on the Sabbath. But the blind man responded with:

We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.” (John 9:31)

The religious hypocrites did not question this fact, because even they knew God does not hear sinners, for within their own readings of the Old Testament Isaiah states: “So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood (sin).” – Isaiah 1:15

And the Old Testament Psalmist wrote: If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear…” – Psalm 66:18.

Furthermore Proverbs is clear on this stating: “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord.” – Prov. 1:28-29

Some may argue that since we’re all sinners (Rom. 3:23) then none of our prayers will be answered. We need to understand the context of that passage and how it was a comparison to God Himself, so of course we all fall short compared to His Glory. There is a significant difference between continual and willful sinning compared to being a sinner saved by Grace. And as mentioned, it is this very fact that determines whether He hears us or not.

even a christian’s prayer can be hindered…

We are an emotionally driven species that are heavily influenced by our feelings over what’s true. And unfortunately because of this many Christians base their entire Christianity on how they feel rather than what’s written within scripture. This is why many of you reading this are extremely offended in knowing God could possibly be ignoring your prayers.

However it is a matter of perception, for we can either take this as a warning and repent from our continual sinful lifestyles or ignore it and let our prayers be nothing but empty hallow words.

One writer explains it this way:

We can see from Psalm 66:18 that if we as believers are to “regard wickedness” in our hearts, then the Lord will not hear our prayers. In other words, he won’t answer them…what does it mean to regard wickedness in your heart? The literal translation is “see iniquity with pleasure.” So, if anyone, Christian included, were to look upon sin favorably and seek to do it, then God will not hear their prayers. Sin hinders prayer’s effectiveness, and as we see in the next verse, Isaiah 59:2, God hides himself from those who are in sin. In James 4:3 we see that wrong motives hinder prayer…Proverbs 1:28-29 tells us that God will not answer those who hate His knowledge and do not fear Him. Anyone, Christian included, who would willfully abide in sin is not choosing the fear of the Lord. Therefore, God will not listen to him and his prayers will be hindered.The Christian Apologetics Research Ministry

still CONVINCED HE HEARS US

We can strongly believe that our prayers are being answered and be sincerely convinced that God hears us, but if we are still living in sin and rejecting His instructions and teachings then we need to ask ourselves if its not God who is sending these so-called blessings then who is?

Well one thing we need to consider is what happened between Satan and Christ in the desert: “…the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” (Matt. 4:8-9)

Some may say Satan does not have the power to give us things, that his temptation in the desert was nothing but a lie, however Luke 4:6 tells us otherwise: “…And the devil said to Him, I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I can give it to whomever I wish.”

What a sobering thought that Satan has the power to give us anything we desire as long as we worship him!

Now I know many of you are saying “we don’t worship Satan we worship Christ” but truth is, to worship Christ is to “fear” and “obey” Him (see: Deut. 10:12; Eccl. 12:13). If sin still reigns in our lifestyle then we are not in obedience to His word, therefore making it impossible for us to fear/worship Him, but very possible to worship Satan through obedience to him.

I used to attribute material gain, health and wealth to “answered prayers” and being “blessed.” But when I look back at the lifestyle I was living it was far from obedience to His word. And though from the surface I may have looked blessed, everything gained was out of selfish fulfillment.

SO WHEN DOES HE HEAR our prayers?

God hears us when we truly ask for repentance and forgiveness, TURN from our sinful lifestyles, OBEY His Words and do the WORK He has commanded of us – that is when He will proclaim:

I will be merciful…I will wipe out your transgressions for My own sake…I will remove your sins and cast them as far as the east is from the west…I will remember them NO MORE.” (cf. Heb. 8:12; Is. 43:25; Psalm 103:12)

The world will not get any better friends, it’s time to REPENT and await His return.

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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin.” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Think About It.

In His Will,
Marc

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