Article - God Does not Hear the Sinner’s Prayer – Only the Prayer of the Righteous
According to John 9:31, God does not hear sinners: “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.” In fact, the Lord’s ears are only open to the prayers of His righteous children (1 Peter 3:12). Those who teach the so-called “Sinner’s Prayer” contradict Christ’s doctrine and promote a manmade false doctrine (Mark 7:6-9; Galatians 1:6-10; 2 John 1:9). According to Jesus’ doctrine, it is “the effective, fervent prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man” that avails much (James 5:16). “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight (Proverbs 15:8)….the LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous (Proverbs 15:29)….One who turns his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination (Proverbs 28:9).” The wicked person’s prayer becomes sin (Psalm 109:2, 7). Furthermore, God does not even hear the prayer of an impenitent child of God. If a child of God regards iniquity in his heart, God will not hear him (Psalm 66:16-20). In fact, God is angry with the prayer of a child of His who has not been restored to Him (Psalm 80:3-4). God says to His erring people through the preacher Isaiah: “When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you may make many prayers, I will not hear (Isaiah 1:15)….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 (Isaiah 59:1-2; Micah 3:4; Zechariah 7:12-13).” In order to honor Jesus and His doctrine: (1) Do not recite, approve or condone the “Sinner’s Prayer” (Romans 1:32); (2) Do not participate in prayers of the unrighteous (Ephesians 5:11); and (3) Be sure that you stand righteous in the sight of God so that your prayers can be heard (1 Peter 3:12).
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