WILL GOD HEAR THE PRAYER OF A SINNER?

 Luke 23:33-43

There are many who ask, "Will God hear the prayer of a sinner?" The one asking the question usually will quote John 9:31 “Now we know that God does not hear sinners...”

Many don't pray because they are not sure God is listening. They may feel that what they have done, that is the sin in their life, prevents God from listening; Isaiah 59:1-2 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”

Does God listen to the prayer of a sinner? This is an important question. James tells us; “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (5:16). John declares; “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:8-9).

In Luke 23:33-43 we have Luke's account of the thieves crucified with Christ. Matthew and Mark record that the thieves that were crucified with Jesus were mocking him. Yet one of them repented and asks to be with Christ in paradise. Jesus heard and answered his prayer (Matthew 27:44, Mark 15:32).

Does God even listen to prayers of those who do not serve Him? God heard the prayers of Cornelius (Acts 10:4). Jesus tells those searching for the truth to ask and they shall receive (Matthew 7:7-8). Jesus taught in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican that God answers sinner's prayer (Luke 18:9-14).

What does it mean, “God will not hear the prayer of a sinner”. Context is the most important thing to remember when studying the Bible. John 9:29-34; “We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.”

The blind man was speaking and he concluded that if a sinner were trying to do what Jesus did, that is heal him of his blindness, God would not hear his prayer. The conclusion was that this man was from God or else God wouldn't hear. A sinner in rebellion to God, trying to heal the blind man, would have gotten the answer Balaam got when he ask God to curse the Israelites. He would not have succeeded. That is all the blind man meant.

The statement in John 9:31 should never be used to convince anyone that God does not hear the prayer of a sinner. This may leave the immature Christian thinking that once you fail in your faithfulness to God he never wants to hear from you again. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This really has nothing to do with asking for forgiveness when we sin. The Bible is clear, God hears the prayers of those who are seeking to worship him and do his will even though we fail and are sinners.

In Proverbs 1:22-33 Solomon Describes the type of person God will not hear: “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Now let me show you just what type of sinner God hears; “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” I John 1:9-10

Simon the sorcerer is an excellent example; “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”Acts 8:22-24

God will answer the sinner’s prayer of repentance; “O Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.” Hosea 14:1-2

Matthew 18:21-22; “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Our forgiveness is to be unlimited toward those who sin against us. If our forgiveness is to be patterned after God's forgiveness, does this not point out that God is committed to hearing a sinner's prayer for forgiveness?