Does God always Hear Our Prayers?

[RedTent]

The bible says we can build barriers between us and God so that He cannot hear us.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen.

Isa 59:20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression." This is the LORD's declaration.

This would say that our sins act as a barrier between us and the Lord, it is only those who, through the redeemer, turn from them in humility and repentance that the Lord hears.

 

[Hashe]

Amazing, you've managed to build a doctrine for individuals from a verse in the NT, which was a human speaking and not Jesus, and then one from the OT which is addressed to Israel as a nation.
It's not quite a doctrine from one verse, like the other thread discusses, but its close!

 

[Jda016]

Great point!

I would also mention pride as being a BIG factor in God not hearing us.

i think of the Pharisee who said in front of the temple, "Thank God I am not like that man over there." And the man in the corner beat his breast asking God to forgive him. Jesus said, surely the second man was forgiven.

I think God hears sinner's prayers, but usually only when their hearts are humble and truly repentant. I think the prayers of the arrogant and proud He does not listen to.

 

[Jda016]

I don't think Redtent has built a doctrine at all.

There are clearly things that hinder our prayers to God and I think sin is one of them.

I remember the scripture, "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much." I think the inverse of that statement is also true. The unrighteous man's prayers won't do much good.

 

[RedTent]

Amazing, you've managed to build a doctrine for individuals from a verse in the NT, which was a human speaking and not Jesus, and then one from the OT which is addressed to Israel as a nation.
It's not quite a doctrine from one verse, like the other thread discusses, but its close!

What a strange reply!! Do you not believe scripture? I didn't go on with my point, I didn't bring up the many scripture about what God does listen to, and had expected posts about that, not one like this.

 

[Hashe]

Amazing again. I question your methodology and you question my faith!

Is God really so far from any of us? Paul preaching to heathens in Athens in Acts 17:27, says God is not far from any of us - all we need to do is seek!

And as for the scripture from Luke 18:10-14, the point is that it was the sinner to whom God responded!

 

[Jda016]

Amazing again. I question your methodology and you question my faith!

Is God really so far from any of us? Paul preaching to heathens in Athens in Acts 17:27, says God is not far from any of us - all we need to do is seek!

And as for the scripture from Luke 18:10-14, the point is that it was the sinner to whom God responded!

That was my point. He responded to the sinner because the sinner was in the corner. Being in the corner shows us the humility in his heart. God hears the prayers of the truly repentant and humble ones.

the Pharisee, on the other hand, was arrogant and Jesus pointed him out to show the disciples what NOT to be like. If we judge How God hears people's prayers based on the actions of Jesus, we would see that God doesn't hear the arrogant or proud Pharisees at all.

I think of the other scripture, "God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud."

I'm not entirely sure what you are so upset about. RedTent was just pointing out that God is much less likely to hear, if at all, the sinner who despises God and others and is arrogant or proud. Scripture supports this.

 

[just-us-2]

RedTent, you are absolutely correct. We are usually the reason God doesn't hear some of our prayers.
Another scripture from the Word of God written by INSPIRED men.

Psalm 66:18 (NAS) "If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear."

 

[Angela53510]

One of my seminary profs has a strong beliefs, based on Scripture, that God does not hear the prayers of unbelievers, except to believe and repent. As for Christians, he also believed that sin was a barrier between us and God.

I personally find it hard to believe that God, who sent his Son to die for us while we were yet sinners, because of his love for us (Romans5:8) turns away like an angry child and does not hear our prayers because we have sinned,

I think the problem lies with us. If we are living in opposition to a God's leading, or committing sin, our heart grows cold. Essentially, we are the one that moved, not God!

My opinion being voiced, I do not think we can ever comprehend the voice of God, or place him in a box. Jesus answered the prayers of many unbelievers, not just for healing, but for salvation. Just thinking of the Samaritan women in John 4 or the centurion whose servant was sick (Luke 7:1-10) Really the examples go on forever, right to Peter denying Christ, and Thomas' unbelief. God heard them and answered their prayers.

However, an answered prayer is not always yes! Sometimes it is no, or even later!

 

[Brother_Don]

KJV Jude 1:14-25

 

[guestno2]

Yes, that one was good, just-us-2 also that from Juda 1 chapter (brother Don)
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me

Psalm 66,18

or

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity

Psalm 5, 6-7


He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination

Prov. 28,9


And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Isaiah 1



Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59 ...this one already post redtent



And this one is about praying for someone
Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.

Jeremias 7,16


To be fair, we know, that this is not closed and completed Gods speech to us, it is just explanation and guidance for us what to do, if we experience silence from god.

Now, there are many various situation, when God is not speaking or answering us, there are also many reason for that.

I pointed out just on sin as a reason, which have “simple” solution.
There are however an other causes.
For example, when we don’t ask in Jesus name (not in accordance with his will, not in communion with the His spirit) or other case, when we overtake gods timing (meanings, it is too soon for something what we want, we must wait a little bit)

God always knows whats going on in our head, heart, what we want, desire, he know and hear everything, but for various reasons He could not respond, or wait with respond, or turn His face away from us.

If it happens, it is not His fault, but ours.


most common causes are selfish motives, hypocrisy and lies

Jakub 4,3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts

Marek 12,40 …. for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation…


Also our sincerity is sometimes not enough for God to heard our prayers as we can read in Mat 20,22

When Jesus said to disciples ….Ye know not what ye ask….


So if we wnt for God to hear us we have to pray according to instructions from Jesus our Lord

Jan 4,24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth

And also in Lucas 18 1-14


be blessed

 

[crossnote]

Being the reductioonist that I am...unbelief is the barrier....

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

And the Blood of Jesus is the only Door to access the Throne of Grace...

Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
And having an high priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

[danalee]

I don't think Redtent has built a doctrine at all.

There are clearly things that hinder our prayers to God and I think sin is one of them.

I remember the scripture, "the prayers of a righteous man availeth much." I think the inverse of that statement is also true. The unrighteous man's prayers won't do much good.

I really like this post that redtent has made. I agree and that's been my experience. God is silent when I am clearly full of myself and sin - I have learned over time to catch myself, repent, take a long pause and pray - he always listens when I'm ready to hear, abide and stay focused in my faith. The hard part has always been pride and ego; these are very good reminders and I'm grateful for these kinds of posts otherwise I would grant myself too much authority and toss humility out the window. It's just my nature and I need it right in front of my face. Obey the Lord or fall away from him and his guidance - that is the worst place I can find myself in and I fight that daily. Good posts all around.

 

[danalee]

One of my seminary profs has a strong beliefs, based on Scripture, that God does not hear the prayers of unbelievers, except to believe and repent. As for Christians, he also believed that sin was a barrier between us and God.

I personally find it hard to believe that God, who sent his Son to die for us while we were yet sinners, because of his love for us (Romans5:8) turns away like an angry child and does not hear our prayers because we have sinned,

I think the problem lies with us. If we are living in opposition to a God's leading, or committing sin, our heart grows cold. Essentially, we are the one that moved, not God!

My opinion being voiced, I do not think we can ever comprehend the voice of God, or place him in a box. Jesus answered the prayers of many unbelievers, not just for healing, but for salvation. Just thinking of the Samaritan women in John 4 or the centurion whose servant was sick (Luke 7:1-10) Really the examples go on forever, right to Peter denying Christ, and Thomas' unbelief. God heard them and answered their prayers.

However, an answered prayer is not always yes! Sometimes it is no, or even later!

It's not that God turns away like an angry child (as we think of it), I think it's because he can do no work with your unhealthy state so he wastes no effort. God is perfect in all ways so I believe he's not about to waste effort toward those who cannot see or hear. It's how we do things as parents as well, we pull away coddling and over nurturing when a child is misbehaving, and sometimes we don't argue because we are just arguing with the devil. One of the most effective strategies for behavior management in a clinical setting is to NOT respond to antics and dramatics and that person will feel the effect of people giving them no attention and start to behave so they can feel loved and validated again. We don't yell, pry, pull, push, we walk away and stay silent - and when they get it, they get it and we start over with love and kindness when it's deserved, and rebuke when it's just poor, self serving behavior. I believe God treats the unrepentent sinner full of pride the same way.

 

[biscuit]

I have stated many, many times on CC that a large percentage of Christians lost favor with God because they won't repent or return to Him. However, when those same hypocritical Christians are about to be devoured, they will suddenly start to repent and return to Him temporarily. God will not be mocked nor respond to the urgent needs. I also believe He will test those with tribulations to let them know He will not be mocked. Again, I believe most Christians wear their faith on their sleeves and jewlery rather in their hearts & souls. Faith is not some toy that we can twist around like play dough in any shape or form and God will accept it. If these lukewarm and hypocritical Christians fall through the cracks of despairs, they have no one to blame but themselves for their lack of faith. Either we are with Him or not. There is no middle ground as so many lost Christians have learned the hard way.

 

[biscuit]

1 John 2:15–16


Do Not Love the World
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

 

[paulsfam4]

I tend to go that Gods will and our will most of time don't match up, there is things that we think we need? and then their is God who knows! what we need, and when we are staying true to Gods will, he will take care of what we need. and answer our prayers. FAITH AND PATIENCE...

 

[Jda016]

Like Crossnote mentioned, Unbelief plays a huge factor too!

the Roman centurion, even though he was a pagan, believed that Christ was a man of authority. He believed so much in fact, that he knew all Jesus had to do was say a word and the servant would be healed. Jesus marveled at such great faith and granted the request.

Yet the VERY people Jesus grew up with in Nazareth would not believe and Jesus did very little there, because of that unbelief.

so clearly belief plays a big role as a pagan roman centurion who was occupying Israel was granted his petition, because of His belief, while the chosen Jews, even the Jews Jesus knew his whole life, could not be helped, because of unbelief.

 

[RedTent]

The other side of the coin is that it is really easy to be the person that God does hear! God isn't looking for the perfect person so He hears, it is a humble heart open to hearing His words in a childlike accepting way. God doesn't ask for an IQ. We are only asked that we have our minds on Him, so what we ask is within His kingdom.

"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 and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14)

We are given lots of assurances of God wanting to hear us.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)

"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24)

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:13)

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14)

"And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." (John 16:23)

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." (Romans 10:12)

'For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." (Ephesians 2:18)

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. . (Hebrews 10:19)

 

[just-me]

It's not that God turns away like an angry child (as we think of it), I think it's because he can do no work with your unhealthy state so he wastes no effort. God is perfect in all ways so I believe he's not about to waste effort toward those who cannot see or hear. It's how we do things as parents as well, we pull away coddling and over nurturing when a child is misbehaving, and sometimes we don't argue because we are just arguing with the devil. One of the most effective strategies for behavior management in a clinical setting is to NOT respond to antics and dramatics and that person will feel the effect of people giving them no attention and start to behave so they can feel loved and validated again. We don't yell, pry, pull, push, we walk away and stay silent - and when they get it, they get it and we start over with love and kindness when it's deserved, and rebuke when it's just poor, self serving behavior. I believe God treats the unrepentent sinner full of pride the same way.

In Biblical terms,Father, brother, and child mean what it says. I like your input, and parallel thoughts of Biblical truth. AMEN

I need to take some of the advise God has given through your post.