Does God listen to and answer all prayers?

Southernscotty

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So, then, he does hear the prayers of unbelievers ... even those offered up to a false god.



In light of Matt 5:45, what do you mean by blessing?
Sin places a barrier between us and God So He can only bless those who He can by the covering of Christ Blood. Otherwise no one can come into contact with an all holy God.
 
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Resha Caner

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Sin places a barrier between us and God ...

Yes.

... no one can come into contact with an all holy God.

If you mean Exodus 33:20 and the like, then yes, I agree. Yet God found ways to speak with Moses. Were that not true, Exodus 33:20 would, in and of itself, be an oxymoron.

So He can only bless those who He can by the covering of Christ Blood.

I don't understand how this answers my question. Unbelievers are blessed by a shining sun and falling rain. So what do you mean by "bless"? Do you have an example of a way a Christian is blessed that an unbeliever never would be?
 
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Southernscotty

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Yes.



If you mean Exodus 33:20 and the like, then yes, I agree. Yet God found ways to speak with Moses. Were that not true, Exodus 33:20 would, in and of itself, be an oxymoron.



I don't understand how this answers my question. Unbelievers are blessed by a shining sun and falling rain. So what do you mean by "bless"? Do you have an example of a way a Christian is blessed that an unbeliever never would be?
It rains on the just and unjust and what I mean is that God can't bless those He can't get to through sin. God can not come into contact with sin. Or else He would not be an all Holy God You see.
That is why we have Jesus Christ as our mediator to offer our prayer to God.
Unbelievers do not have this
 
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RaymondG

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I do my best not to get wrapped up in guessing people's motivations. I would ask for a definition of "pigNewton". Short and sweet. That you chose instead to equate yourself with Jesus and me with the Pharisees speaks volumes.

"Gnostic" is a ubiquitous term in religious discourse, so it's not as if I pulled out my copy of The Dictionary of Obscure Words. Ho unfamiliar wever, since you werewith the word, I explained it (at least in part). Whether that makes you feel anything was not my purpose. I was hoping for understanding.
I see you associate Pharisee with something negative. I actually admire them.....They did what they felt was right given their extensive knowledge of the written word.......and I would have done what they did as well....and I have. Dont be so quick to judge the people in the bible. I only meant that one side felt the other was apart of a group that spoke things contrary to the Word. And wondered if this is what you were saying about me. I do not know you to have the knowledge of the Pharisee.

I think I understand a little better.....So you felt my words were similar to a certain sect of people. Now, was this a blanket observation that you wanted read, not desiring a response at all.....Or did you want me to confirm being a part of group or not?

I can say that I dont think there is any group that you would be able to put me in.....and do not find it necessary who categorize someone before engaging in a conversation with them. You need not consider ones background to be able to talk about or recognize the truth.

If you can and desire to question my words without the lens of a religion or sect, we can reason together.
 
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RaymondG

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I don't like your answer - not because you're not genuine in what you say but because:
What you are saying puts the failure for God to answer a prayer back on the person praying eg. I prayed for the life of my son but he died - therefore I must be a lousy Christian not good enough for God to help - Or, according to you, I didn't pray well enough so its all my fault - If I prayed well enough, the cancer in my child would have gone.

Well, I don't accept that. It means, using the example I gave before, that if the English soldier was killed and not the German, then the German soldier was a better Christian or better at praying - Again I do not believe that and in fact, I find it abhorrent to place such guilt on those who suffer a negative outcome
Please forgive me comments. I see nothing wrong with anything you believe.
 
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Resha Caner

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It rains on the just and unjust and what I mean is that God can't bless those He can't get to through sin. God can not come into contact with sin. Or else He would not be an all Holy God You see.
That is why we have Jesus Christ as our mediator to offer our prayer to God.
Unbelievers do not have this

Where did you get this from? Habakkuk 1:13 maybe? It seems a misunderstanding to me. The way you state it gives sin power over God. You're claiming there is something God can't do.

Yet God has been in the presence of sin. Jesus is God, and Jesus walked among us sinners.

It's not that sin defeats God and prevents him from reaching us. Rather, verses like the one from Habakkuk mean God does not approve of evil and is a just judge who destroys all evil. But God most certainly comes in contact with sin. The "barrier" then, is a deficiency on our part, not God's. We can't reach God because of sin, but he can still reach us.

With that said, I could agree there are cases where Christians receive blessings that unbelievers do not. The Sacraments would be an example.
 
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BBAS 64

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The bible also states that even if I make my bed in Hell, God is there. Are you of the mind that the person making their bed in hell, may not mean they are in sin?

Good Day, Raymond

Umm, not sure what this has to do with anything I said. If you would like to rephrase please do so.

In Him,

Bill
 
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Resha Caner

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I see you associate Pharisee with something negative.

That does not properly represent my view. The Pharisees were in error, and Christ pointed out their error to them. Should they have continued in that error?

I think I understand a little better.....So you felt my words were similar to a certain sect of people.

I'm not sure you understand yet. There have been religious groups that held gnostic beliefs, but it is not the name of a specific church. It is a general term, like saying someone is tall. When I say someone is tall, I'm not assigning them to a sect. I'm describing something I've observed about them.

We can discuss your views if you like. Where did you get your view of prayer?
 
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Southernscotty

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Where did you get this from? Habakkuk 1:13 maybe? It seems a misunderstanding to me. The way you state it gives sin power over God. You're claiming there is something God can't do.
There is something God can't do Sister, He can't sin...
The "barrier" then, is a deficiency on our part, not God's. We can't reach God because of sin, but he can still reach us.
Well yes. lol

Jesus became man and became our Saviour but He never once sinned. He is our perfect sin sacrifice and He sent Jesus because there was no other way to save mankind. He done it Himself out of love. We love God only because He first loved us ..
 
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Resha Caner

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There is something God can't do Sister, He can't sin...

First, I'm a guy. But don't worry, you're not the first to misinterpret the name.

Second, the "Can God sin?" question deals in logical impossibilities. IOW, it's a statement without meaning, and therefore has no logical answer. It's like asking about square circles.
 
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Southernscotty

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Oh sorry Bro, I know a lady named Resha so I assumed you were a lady.
Second, the "Can God sin?" question deals in logical impossibilities. IOW, it's a statement without meaning, and therefore has no logical answer. It's like asking about square circles.
Yes that is right. He cannot because He would no longer be all Holy. The unrighteous has NO Spirit inside of them to bless them as the believer does because the believer is a temple to the Spirit . You see?
 
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Resha Caner

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The unrighteous has NO Spirit inside of them to bless them as the believer does because the believer is a temple to the Spirit . You see?

Not really. I understand the Spirit dwells in Christians. But I'm not sure I understand what blessing you think that brings. I named a few things, but apparently you mean something else.
 
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RaymondG

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That does not properly represent my view. The Pharisees were in error, and Christ pointed out their error to them. Should they have continued in that error?
Yes they should have....And even the bible states that had they known Jesus was Chirst, they would not have crucified Him. We would have done the same thing back then....and most do it today....because we know no better... The ones more susceptible to this are they who hold fast to particular doctrines and dismissed anything or anyone that says anything that sounds different....
Think about it, if Jesus comes to us in anyway we think He shouldnt come(based on what we read and was taught).....We'd dismiss Him......This is what they did. And if any person comes in a way similar to the way we believe Jesus should come......We will follow.....even after reading that many will come saying I am Christ, with signs, and to believe them not. honest mistakes...

I'm not sure you understand yet. There have been religious groups that held gnostic beliefs, but it is not the name of a specific church. It is a general term, like saying someone is tall. When I say someone is tall, I'm not assigning them to a sect. I'm describing something I've observed about them.
ok last question on this. When you write : "Your word s sound "Blank"" do you desire a response, or for your words to just be read and taken in.?

We can discuss your views if you like. Where did you get your view of prayer?
My view came from Scripture, Practice, Failures and Successes..
 
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Southernscotty

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Not really. I understand the Spirit dwells in Christians. But I'm not sure I understand what blessing you think that brings. I named a few things, but apparently you mean something else.
If you do not see the benefit of the Spirit and the goodness available through the Spirit then idk.
 
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Resha Caner

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ok last question on this. When you write : "Your word s sound "Blank"" do you desire a response, or for your words to just be read and taken in.?

A response would be nice. But you more or less have, so I don't need more. My interpretation is that you came to these ideas on your own with no prior awareness of whether they do or don't resemble gnosticism.

My view came from Scripture, Practice, Failures and Successes..

I see. How unique do you consider your beliefs when compared to Christians?
 
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Resha Caner

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If you do not see the benefit of the Spirit and the goodness available through the Spirit then idk.

I do see a benefit. I didn't say I don't see a benefit. Again, I listed some benefits. I'm just not sure what you think those benefits are.
 
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Southernscotty

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I do see a benefit. I didn't say I don't see a benefit. Again, I listed some benefits. I'm just not sure what you think those benefits are.
We all goodness comes from God, So I would say a lot of blessings in many ways for the believer, Like being able to pray for healings and knowing that God hears the voice of His sheep.
Like the footprints in the sand saying, Just knowing He will carry you through because you are His.
 
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Resha Caner

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We all goodness comes from God, So I would say a lot of blessings in many ways for the believer, Like being able to pray for healings and knowing that God hears the voice of His sheep.
Like the footprints in the sand saying, Just knowing He will carry you through because you are His.

OK.
 
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RaymondG

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A response would be nice. But you more or less have, so I don't need more. My interpretation is that you came to these ideas on your own with no prior awareness of whether they do or don't resemble gnosticism.

Got it, next time I see it, I will just confirm or deny affiliation with said group.....that is if we forget that I said I am not part of any groups.

I see. How unique do you consider your beliefs when compared to Christians?
I think everyone is different.....there are many denoms in Christianity, that vary in beliefs. Even the term Christian has many meanings......It could mean a part of a physical church, one said a sinners prayer, one has been saved, one is born from above, one was born to christian parents....etc... and each of these categories can have different meanings as well.

So this is a question that could be asked to all Christians, regardless of their belief about prayer.

I feel my beliefs are a result of hearing the word and trying to be a doer of the word. When I fail, I try till i succeed knowing that every man can be a liar, but the Word of God will always be true....
 
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