Does God hear the prayers of sinners and unbelievers?
Two lines of Scripture seem to pull against each other: the healed blind man's confident "God does not listen to sinners," and the tax collector who prayed only "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" and went home justified. So the real question is not whether God can hear an unbeliever, but what kind of prayer He answers, and on what ground.
What "God does not listen to sinners" Actually Claims
The man born blind was arguing about Jesus, not laying down a rule for anxious souls. His point was about who God backs with power.
L. M. GrantGod does not hear sinners, that is, He does not give His approval by miraculous ability to one who is sinful in character. It is one who truly worships God and does His will who is in this way approved by God.
Using that sentence to shut a seeking sinner out of God's presence turns a record of what a man said into a doctrine God never stated.
C. H. MackintoshWe do not consider that John 9:31 has anything to do with the matter to which you refer. The Holy Spirit records what the blind man said to the Pharisees, but we believe that God is ever ready to hear the cry of any poor needy soul that looks to Him through Jesus… There is a rigid, repulsive manner of using the letter of certain texts of Scripture, with which we have no sympathy.
The One Prayer From a Sinner God Always Hears
There is a door, and it opens on honesty about sin rather than on merit.
An Outline of Sound WordsThe sinner can approach God and God will listen to him if he comes in confession of his sins. God will abundantly pardon all who come to Him pleading the death of His Son, and believing that God has raised Him from the dead.
Nothing in a person's history or situation makes him too far gone for that cry to be answered.
Andrew MillerHe who cries to God for mercy, though physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually poor and blind — the weakest or most degraded of mankind — is instantly answered by Him, "who is rich in mercy." God never has said, and never will say to the cry of the dependent heart, I have no mercy for you… There is nothing either in the heart or in the circumstances of the sinner that can hinder the flowing spring of mercy, if he only bows at the feet of Jesus in dependence on Him.
A Wicked King Proves It
Manasseh had filled Jerusalem with idolatry and bloodshed. Taken to Babylon in chains, he prayed — and was answered.
Leslie M. GrantThough Manasseh had sinned so grievously against God, he did repent and humbled himself greatly before God, praying earnestly to the One he had before so dishonored, and God accepted his prayer of humiliation. This is a most striking example of the grace of God being available for any sinner who repents.
Praying Without Ever Coming to God
Not every prayer from an unbeliever is that cry. People often ask God for help with this life while refusing His salvation.
James McBroomIn spite of his state of alienation man is often found seeking God in prayer. This, all would admit, springs from his resourcelessness and an innate sense of the supremacy of God… Natural conscience may own God though morally far from Him, and the man of the world, while rejecting the gospel, may often seek God in prayer regarding things of this life while content to remain outside the blessing and be lost for eternity.
Scripture is blunt about religious activity offered instead of repentance: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD."
William KellyThis however was not only unavailing for the godless, but added fresh insult to God, unless with self-judgment before Him, and that hatred of the evil committed which would work deeper care and vigilance against repeating it. If it were only to get rid of uneasiness, the man would be weaker than before, and more ready to sin afresh, and offer his sacrifice again.
Prayer Is Not the Price of Salvation
Some anxious people pray for years hoping the praying itself will save them. It cannot, because "to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness."
C. H. MackintoshTake heed that you are not mixing up your poor prayers with the glorious work of redemption, completed by the Lamb of God on the cross. Prayer is most precious; but remember, "without faith it is impossible to please God"… If you say you are crying for mercy, the word of God points you to mercy's copious stream flowing from the finished sacrifice. You have all your anxious heart can want in Jesus, and He is God's free gift to you just as you are, where you are, now.
After You Belong to Him
Once in the family, unjudged sin still blocks the line: "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."
Hamilton SmithNow, when God refuses to hear, we may be sure the Spirit refuses to assist; for God never rejects a prayer which His Spirit prompts. Have you defiled yourself with any known sin? Do not think to have Him help you in prayer, till He has helped you to repent; He will take you to the washing place before He goes with you to the altar.
Summary
- Misread. John 9:31 records a healed man's argument that God does not back an evil worker with miracles — it was never a rule barring sinners from crying to God.
- Mercy. God is always ready to hear any needy soul that looks to Him through Jesus; nothing in the heart or circumstances can block that spring of mercy.
- Confession. The prayer God receives from a sinner is the one that owns sin and pleads the death and resurrection of His Son — Manasseh in chains is the proof.
- Counterfeit. Asking God for help with this life while rejecting the gospel is possible, common, and leaves a person outside the blessing; religion without self-judgment insults God.
- Rest. Prayer never buys pardon. Mercy already flows from the finished sacrifice, and it is God's free gift to you as you are, where you are, now.