Bible Discussion Thread

does God hear sinners prayers?

When the formerly blind man gave his testimony, he defended Jesus against the Pharisees who were denouncing Jesus as a sinner. In verse 31 he spoke the conventional wisdom "God heareth not sinners" to demonstrate that if Jesus was a fraud, he could not have performed a work that only God could do when he gave him the gift of sight.

As for us, truly sinners, we have a new and living way ( Hebrews 10) to approach God. This by the precious blood shed by the sinless Son of God Jesus Christ on the cross. See also 1 John chapter 1.

Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance ( Luke 5:32).

I believe that, yes! God does hear even the prayers of sinners. He knows when someone is seeking His help. He knows when we ask wisdom, direction, strength, when we cry, etc. I believe God hears and is aware of every idle or wrong word also. God knows our hearts, minds, intents, and situations. There is nowhere God does not see and understand. However, I also believe that He wants a special relationship with His created beings - one that brings us into a close and intimate fellowship with Him where He not only hears us, but actually communicates with us through His Spirit. This is only a result of us being "born again" or born into the Spirit through His Holy Son Jesus. Jesus died for you and for all of us in order to bring us in to that kind of relationship with the Father. By this we are adopted as sons as Jesus is God's Son. John 17: 13-24. I pray that the Heavenly Father attends to your prayers, dear one. As you place your life and trust in His all knowing loving and healing hands may He make you one of His own dear children by Christ Jesus.

Barbara, I would like to add, Job, had his friends and they tried to figure out what Job did wrong that God would cause all those things to happen to him. Job proclaimed he did nothing wrong. It was Satan, if you remember the story. Just as in Verse 9 neither the man nor the parents sinned. It was so Jesus could heal, he was born blind. In Job, we learn of the Leviathan and the Behemoth, two powerful creatures that are neither good nor bad, they just do their thing and sometimes cause misfortune. But, Job was not a sinner though people thought he was and he argued with God. He layed it out to Him.....And, God responded

Jacob, deceived his father Issac and his brother Esau, and ended up wrestling with an angel not letting him go, (like wrestling in prayer not quitting till he got an answer). The angel named Jacob, Israel. So, if you see Israel and Jacob in the bible, they're the same person. And, if see a name with "el" in it, el translates to God. (Immanuel, Michael, Gabriel, El Shaddai, etc). You asked a very important question. I wanted to be thorough to offer some kind of help, in your seeking God. Remember, Jesus came to Earth looking for us.

This is for Barbara who asked if God hears sinners. I think, Barbara you read in the chapter verse 31, where the Pharisee talked about God not hearing sinners. Even though this is the New Testament, the people still only had the Old Testament ways about them. They had 613 laws to obey. They did different kinds of sacrifices to "cleanse" themselves. Jesus, had an amazing task. He had to challenge and change the only ways the Jewish people ever knew. That's what is meant by new wine in old skin, or new cloth on an old garment. Jesus, simplified the law (laws) even the 10 commandments into two commandments, love God with all your heart body soul and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus, changed thought process to no matter what work we do, we can't buy our forgiveness. It is a gift, through our belief, faith and trust in Him and God. So, yes God hears sinners. Everyone is a sinner. Even the preacher at church sins. The only work that God wants us to do to "earn" salvation, is work on our inner selves. To Love Him and our Neighbors. To work on our selfish, carnal ways. To seek the Spirit, and not the flesh. Not to abuse Grace. So, when we sin, to repent and be sincere, we are saddened that we hurt Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit. Have you ever hurt your mama's feelings and felt bad for doing it, cause your mama loves you? The Pharisee had spiritual vanity, they thought themselves above every one else, they were self-righteous. We have to remind ourselves, we are saved by Jesus' works and sacrifice and the Love and Grace that God gives us. Yes, he hears us, and he wants us in prayer, heart felt prayer, lay it on the line, speak honestly. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just be real with Him. He hears us, us rotten sinners of whom I am the worst said Peter, and I feel that way at times myself. And, I keep praying knowing he hears me and is molding me. Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer for sinners. The Disciples sinned. Peter denied Jesus as the cock crowed.