Does God hear the prayer of an unbeliever?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

God knows everyone and everything. That means He hears the prayers of even unbelievers, but whether He answers them is according to His will. A classic example of God responding to those who were not His people in the Old Testament includes Nineveh in the book of Jonah. Instead of annihilating the evil city, God relented on His judgement when they humbled themselves and repented after hearing Jonah the prophet speak the Word of the Lord (Jonah 3:5-10). In the New Testament, God responds to the prayers of someone who would be considered a Gentile at the time. In Acts 10, a Roman centurion, Cornelius, prays to God instead of the Roman gods of his people. God responds by sending him a vision of an angel and making sure Cornelius and His family hear the gospel. Even so, John 9:31 says that God does not “listen to sinners,” which some have interpreted to mean that God does not hear the prayers of unbelievers except the one for salvation. However, since God is all-powerful, He hears all prayers but answers according to His will. For believers, we have assurance that God hears us, and we trust that He responds according to His will. As His children, we can approach Him boldly through prayer (Hebrews 4:16) as we abide in an intimate relationship with Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Nineveh was a morally devoid city—so evil that God was planning to destroy it completely if the people did not repent. God had commanded Jonah to preach that the city would be destroyed in forty days. When Jonah finally did as God commanded him, the entire city repented, asking God to relent (Jonah 3:5-10). God spared the city, angering Jonah in the process (Jonah 4).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• John 9:31 presents a difficult passage regarding the prayers of unbelievers: "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." Some interpret this to mean that while God is not ignorant of anything because He is all-knowing, He may only acknowledge the prayers of believers or those who worship Him and do His will.
• This appears to be the case with Cornelious in the Acts 10 account. He was worshipping God (and seemingly seeking out God’s will). God sends Peter to preach salvation to Cornelius and those in his home.
• As God’s children, we can approach Him boldly and with confidence that our prayers will be heard and answered according to His perfect will (John 14:13), regardless of where we are at with our personal relationship with God.
• The difference between unbelievers and believers in Christ is that believers have been redeemed by Jesus' blood and adopted into the family of God (Ephesians 1:3-10). Unbelievers have not—they are children of the enemy until they receive salvation. As such, they do not understand how God understands His prayers.
• Because believers are a part of God’s family, we can confidently approach God in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Some of us had teachers who seemed like they had eyes in the back of their heads. No matter what misstep we made, what note we passed, whether we sneaked a peek at a book we were reading—they knew. Of course they weren’t really omniscient, just more in tune than students were. Only God is omniscient. Only God can read hearts. Only God knows whether an unbeliever’s prayer is sincere.

Because God is all knowing, He hears all things, including every prayer of every unbeliever or sinner. The Bible gives examples to support Him responding to those who would not be traditionally considered His people. Maybe you can relate to this. Maybe you were one of those who once poured out your heart in prayer to know God. If you were, then you have a story to tell — a story that shows God’s love. That’s the same love that Christ showed us: “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If you haven’t done this and are still unsure, pray. God isn’t looking for loopholes to keep you away from His goodness and grace.

While many of the Bible’s teachings regarding prayer are written to believers, God responds to those who seek Him with all their heart and calls believers to boldly come to Him with their prayers. He promises to both hear and answer according to His perfect will, and we can trust Him.

UNDERSTAND

• God is omniscient, so He hears all prayers.
• God doesn’t answer prayers that are outside of His will, and unbelievers often pray outside of God’s will because they do not know Him.
• God doesn’t turn away anyone who prays in faith for a relationship with Him.

REFLECT

• How do you check your heart to make sure you’re praying according to God’s will rather than your own desires?
• How do you discuss prayer with unbelieving friends?
• What, if any, challenges do you face in your prayer life?

ENGAGE

• How can we use honest conversations about prayer to help others better understand God’s character and openness to those who sincerely seek Him?
• How can we explain the Bible’s teaching on prayer in a way that honors both God’s holiness and His compassion for unbelievers?
• What is the importance of modeling a prayer life that reflects trust, humility, and confidence in God’s will?