Prayer is a powerful path to heaven. Since Jesus prayed, He can be a model. Here is an excerpt from my book, “52 Paths To Heaven.”
Prayer
IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
I’ve heard people suggest that God doesn’t hear the prayers of unbelievers. I think that’s a bunch of bunk.
Of course He hears their prayers. God is omnipotent and omnipresent. He knows everything. He’s everywhere.
He may respond to believers and unbelievers differently, but it’s impossible for Him to tune out any prayers.
As much as God hates sin, I’m fascinated by the fact that He hangs out with sinners to get their attention. The Holy Spirit is the one who keeps working on us and eventually breaks through when we relent.
It’s a mystery how the Holy Spirit manages to be in our midst when we’re not Christians. Clearly, He has to be with us the moment we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. In my case, He was there all along in the 34 years it took for me to submit my will to the Lord’s.
Prayer can be an effective, common path an unbeliever travels. As was my case, many people talk to God without any regard for Jesus. They just assume they love of God. But God can’t love them back if they sin. It’s through our relationship with Jesus – and how His sacrifice removes the penalty of sin – that gives us access to God in the first place.
Sin, of course, separates us from God. Again, He hears the prayers. But we’re not in the right relationship with God. A single sin can make us ineligible for heaven. Jesus didn’t just die for all of our sins and we’re home free. We have to receive His sacrifice as a gift. We do that in no other way than owning up to our sins, turning from them, thanking Him and becoming His follower. Too many people bypass those steps and just run to God. Jesus simply doesn’t rate.
If Jesus means a lot to you, how does He know?
Non-Christians’ prayers, however, help them stay in tune with the notion and the presence of God. I have no doubt that He’ll work with those prayers in some way. He may not answer them directly, but the prayers could help the Holy Spirit make critical moves to help them discover Jesus.
Prayers aren’t about kneeling (although that’s a tremendous posture I sometimes neglect). It’s not about raising hands to heaven. It’s not about crying. All of those movements and reactions can happen.
Prayer is about honesty, communication and sincerity of heart. We should be less concerned about the answers we receive and more focused on the privilege we have to access God’s throne. Bible scholars remind us that prayer isn’t for God; it’s for us. It’s how we stay connected to Him and show our utter dependence on Him. Put Him on the spot.
I recommend that unbelievers tell God that they don’t understand Him, don’t know how they’re supposed to accept His gift of salvation, and that they’re eager to hear from Him.
For what it’s worth, maybe they’ll also pray for loved ones, soldiers in a futile war, abused children, politicians, jobs, and good health. Only God knows what He’ll do with those words.
I’ve gone so far as to tell unbelievers that they should yell at God – if that’s what it takes.
Maybe something in life confuses them. Maybe they’re angry with God about the way the world goes – con artists who trick people into giving up their money, natural disasters, etc. Maybe one of their parents simply dies in a traffic accident.
“I hate you God!” may not be the most reverent words ever spoken, but I think they could qualify as a prayer from an angry, desperate man or woman who doesn’t know where else to turn. Unfortunately, they lack His peace and comfort and grace to endure life’s trials.
It takes a leap of faith to stop what you’re doing and call out to the Almighty Lord:
“I don’t know you. I’m not sure you exist, considering the horrible things you apparently don’t care about in this world. But I want to know you. I want to understand. Help me to see what you want me to see about Jesus. Help me distinguish Him and His purpose apart from you. Spare me eternal punishment in hell.”
Yes, God can hear that prayer. And I imagine He’ll move more swiftly with those words than when He hears someone say: “Give me a bigger paycheck.”
God isn’t a vending machine. You can do better from your heart, much better. It’s not that hard.