Does God HearDoes God Hearthe Prayer of Sinners?the Prayer of Sinners?

Prayer in the BiblePrayer in the Bible The Bible teaches many important The Bible teaches many important

lessons about prayerlessons about prayer God answers prayerGod answers prayer But, who should pray and what But, who should pray and what

should he pray for?should he pray for?

What Does John 9:31 What Does John 9:31 Teach?Teach?

BackgroundBackground– Jesus healed a blind man (Jn. 9:1-12)Jesus healed a blind man (Jn. 9:1-12)– The Pharisees believed Jesus was a sinner The Pharisees believed Jesus was a sinner

for breaking the Sabbath (Jn. 9:16,24,28)for breaking the Sabbath (Jn. 9:16,24,28)– The blind man was talking about a sinner The blind man was talking about a sinner

who was hardened and would not be heard who was hardened and would not be heard by God (Jn. 9:31; Psa. 34:15-18; [1 Pet. by God (Jn. 9:31; Psa. 34:15-18; [1 Pet. 3:15]; 66:17-20; Prov. 15:29; 21:27; 28:9: 3:15]; 66:17-20; Prov. 15:29; 21:27; 28:9: Isa. 1:15; 59:1-2)Isa. 1:15; 59:1-2)

– Some passages that speak of praying for Some passages that speak of praying for forgiveness refer to Jews who were in a forgiveness refer to Jews who were in a covenant relationship with God (Lk. 18:13-covenant relationship with God (Lk. 18:13-14)14)

What About Saul and What About Saul and Cornelius?Cornelius?

Saul (Acts 9)Saul (Acts 9)– He was a religious man and he prayed (9:11)He was a religious man and he prayed (9:11)– Prayer, however, did not save him (9:6,18; Prayer, however, did not save him (9:6,18;

22:10,16; note: he was not told to pray; he 22:10,16; note: he was not told to pray; he did that on his own)did that on his own)

Cornelius (Acts 10)Cornelius (Acts 10)– He was a devout man, feared God, He was a devout man, feared God,

generous, prayed always, and generous, prayed always, and his prayer his prayer was heardwas heard (10:1-4,31; note: we do not know (10:1-4,31; note: we do not know what he prayed for, or if his prayer was what he prayed for, or if his prayer was granted)granted)

– Prayer, however, did not save him Prayer, however, did not save him (10:5,6,22,34-35,48; 11:14-15; 15:7; see (10:5,6,22,34-35,48; 11:14-15; 15:7; see 16:13ff)16:13ff)

What About the “Sinner’s What About the “Sinner’s Prayer”?Prayer”?

No sinner outside of Christ was ever No sinner outside of Christ was ever instructed to pray for salvationinstructed to pray for salvation

Salvation of the non-Christian was Salvation of the non-Christian was never conditioned upon prayernever conditioned upon prayer

Denominational practices…Denominational practices…– ““Come down and pray through at the Come down and pray through at the

mourner’s bench and get saved”mourner’s bench and get saved”– ““Go forward at the altar call and pray”Go forward at the altar call and pray”– Praying is “calling on the name of the Praying is “calling on the name of the

Lord” (Answer: Acts 2:21,37,38,41-42; Lord” (Answer: Acts 2:21,37,38,41-42; 22:16; Rom. 10:13-16; Mt. 7:21)22:16; Rom. 10:13-16; Mt. 7:21)

What About the “Sinner’s What About the “Sinner’s Prayer”?Prayer”?

Salvation for the non-Christian sinner is Salvation for the non-Christian sinner is notnot conditioned upon prayer, but… conditioned upon prayer, but…– Hearing the gospel (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. Hearing the gospel (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom.

10:17)10:17)– Believing in Jesus (Jn. 8:24; 20:31)Believing in Jesus (Jn. 8:24; 20:31)– Confessing Jesus (Rom. 10:9-10)Confessing Jesus (Rom. 10:9-10)– Repenting of sin (Lk. 24:47; Acts 17:30)Repenting of sin (Lk. 24:47; Acts 17:30)– Baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16)Baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16)– Living faithfully (Mt. 28:18-19)Living faithfully (Mt. 28:18-19)

What About the “Sinner’s What About the “Sinner’s Prayer”?Prayer”?

What should he pray for? Should he What should he pray for? Should he pray for…pray for…– Grace? No (Tit. 2:11)Grace? No (Tit. 2:11)– Love? No (John 3:16)Love? No (John 3:16)– Holy Spirit? No (Gal. 3:2)Holy Spirit? No (Gal. 3:2)– Desire? No (2 Pet. 3:9)Desire? No (2 Pet. 3:9)– Reconciliation? (2 Cor. 5:18-20)Reconciliation? (2 Cor. 5:18-20)– Light? No (2 Cor. 4:4)Light? No (2 Cor. 4:4)– Faith? No (Rom. 10:17)Faith? No (Rom. 10:17)– Salvation? No (James 1:21)Salvation? No (James 1:21)– Power? No (Rom. 1:16)Power? No (Rom. 1:16)

What About the Sinful What About the Sinful Christian?Christian?

A Christian can sin as to be lostA Christian can sin as to be lost What is he to do? Repent, confess it What is he to do? Repent, confess it

and pray (Acts 8:22-24; 1 John 1:7-9; and pray (Acts 8:22-24; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1; 5:16-17)2:1; 5:16-17)

Who can pray for forgiveness?Who can pray for forgiveness?– The OT child of God (Mt. 6:9,12; Lk. The OT child of God (Mt. 6:9,12; Lk.

8:13-14)8:13-14)– The NT child of God (see above)The NT child of God (see above)

The Kind of Sinner GodThe Kind of Sinner GodWill HearWill Hear

God will God will notnot hear the hardened sinner hear the hardened sinner God will hear the penitent sinner God will hear the penitent sinner

outside of Christ, but outside of Christ, but notnot to save him to save him (Acts 10:31)(Acts 10:31)– God can respond to a sinner’s prayer God can respond to a sinner’s prayer

outside of Christ like he did with Corneliusoutside of Christ like he did with Cornelius– Sinners outside of Christi who seek to know Sinners outside of Christi who seek to know

truth will be given an opportunity through truth will be given an opportunity through God’s providence to find it (Jn. 7:17)God’s providence to find it (Jn. 7:17)

The Kind of Sinner GodThe Kind of Sinner GodWill HearWill Hear

God will hear the penitent sinner in God will hear the penitent sinner in Christ to save himChrist to save him– Jesus intercedes for his own (Heb. 7:25 Jesus intercedes for his own (Heb. 7:25

[10:21]; 1 Jn. 2:1)[10:21]; 1 Jn. 2:1)– Children have a Father to pray to (Mt. Children have a Father to pray to (Mt.

6:9,12)6:9,12)– The erring child of God must have a The erring child of God must have a

right heart when praying for forgiveness right heart when praying for forgiveness (2 K. 20:5; Psa. 6:9; 145:18-19; (2 K. 20:5; Psa. 6:9; 145:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:12; 1 Jn. 3:22; 5:14-17)1 Pet. 3:12; 1 Jn. 3:22; 5:14-17)