Prayers of A Non-Christian

Does God listen to Non-Christians when they pray in Jesus name? I am just wondering.

Occams Barber said:

Why would a non-Christian pray in Jesus name?

OB

Click to expand...

Good question

They may not like the title Christian. But they believe in Jesus. Some may find it more freedom to not call themselves a Christian while at the same time surrendering to his standards and his will.

Phoebe Ann said:

God responded to me when I prayed for guidance as to whether or not to leave the LDS church. But if non-Christians don't want his will to be done, He might not answer.

1 John 5:14
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1 Peter 3:7
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.


James 5:16
Psalm 37:4

Click to expand...

Thank you very much.

ewq1938 said:

I think God hears everything.

Click to expand...

Thank you very much

Phoebe Ann said:

When I prayed for God's guidance, I addressed Him as "The True God" because I didn't know Him.

Click to expand...

Thank you

I have the Christian title. But when I think about it, I do not live as a Christian. I don't think I know him. And I am thinking of dropping the name Christian from my title, but pray and seek his will. Asking God to enable me to surrender to his will.

Occams Barber said:

If they believe in Jesus and surrender to his standards and his will - aren't they actually Christians?

OB

Click to expand...

You are probably right about that. It's just, I get a little tired of the attitude that we sometimes have. You're not a true Christian because you celebrate this holiday or that holiday a type attitude. It is a little discouraging. Christians have different ideas of what it means to surrender to God's standards. And I am just a little discouraged. But you are probably right.

The Bible is clear on sin. The Bible is clear on sexuality and other sins. But then you have people tell you stuff like, you can't wear this type of clothing or that type of clothing. True Christians would not do or say that. It's just a little frustrating.

I was told I'm not a true Christian because I don't socialize with people enough. I don't really believe that I am a true Christian because I struggle with besetting sin. But I don't think me being unsocial is what makes me not a true Christian.

Phoebe Ann said:

Here's our answer:

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

29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29


I think the Lord answered my prayer because I wanted to know His will.

13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the scriptures.

zippy2006 said:

John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward."

-Mark 9

Click to expand...

Thank you so much. That answers my question

paul1149 said:

If God didn't listen to the prayers of non-Christians they could never become Christians. He listens to everyone, but answers according to His will. And that will primarily is that everyone draw near to Him through the accomplished work of His son, Jesus. Heb 11.6 says God is pleased with faith that believes He is willing and able to reward those who seek Him.

Click to expand...

That is so true

cloudyday2 said:

It seems to me that praying in Jesus name is more than adding the phrase "in Jesus name I pray" onto the end of prayer. It is more like a business owner telling his employees that they have an account at the gas station they can use to fill-up their business vehicles. The employees can't take their personal vehicles to the gas station and fill-up by simply saying "charge it to Jesus, Inc."

But that is only my take. There is of course the concept of magic names in near eastern religion. Supposedly if you new somebody's secret/magic name then you had power over them, so knowing the secret/magic name of God gives people power over God by that reasoning. The idea doesn't appeal to me.

Click to expand...

Well, I don't really believe in magic. And I'm not talking about having power over somebody. In fact,I think that it would be a little stupid if I try to have power over somebody. If your little kid asked you for an apple and you gave him the Apple, does that exactly mean that he had power over you? Absolutely not. It was in your power to say yes or no. I don't think that God bends to our will, I think that we are supposed to bend to his will. When I talk about praying, I am talking about surrendering to his will, not him surrendering to my will. So, no I don't believe that means that I am looking to have power over God. But if that's how you see it, then so be it.

ewq1938 said:

I think God hears everything.

Click to expand...

Thank you very much