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NASB | 1 Peter 3:12 "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Peter 3:12 "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE [looking favorably] UPON THE RIGHTEOUS (the upright), AND HIS EARS ARE ATTENTIVE TO THEIR PRAYER (eager to answer), BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO PRACTICE EVIL." [Ps 34:12-16] |
Subject: DOES GOD HEAR ALL PRAYERS ? |
Bible Note: Greetings BradK, Excellent topical verse in John 9:31! In light of such verses as John 9:31, Job 27:9, and Proverbs 28:9, does this prove that God has "selective hearing"? :-) No, not at all. James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." [ESV] Notice that James implies that a person's spiritual condition has a relationship with their prayer. Therefore, does this mean that an "exception" was made with Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12-13)? This is an interesting thought.. While it is important that our spiritual lives reflect a loving and strong relationship with God that must be nutured daily through reading His Word and in prayer, a 'lacking' relationship with God is not always the reason for prayers seemingly not being answered. For every child of God, I do believe that God answers all of our prayers in one way or another, but not always in the way in which we prefer. Even the Apostle Paul did not always have his prayers answered at times (Acts 20:22-23,29; Romans 1:13; 2 Cor. 12:7-9), in the way that he would have liked. So take courage: seemingly unanswered prayer should not always be a sign that things are not "well" between you and God, if you are a Christian. But the prayers of those who do not believe, or have no relationship with Christ, will not always receive an answer, unless the Lord, in His Divine sovereignty, intervenes, as He did in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13. When Daniel prayed (Daniel 9:3-19), Daniel did so after he studied Scripture (9:2) and found the reason for Israel's exile (Lam. 1:18). Then, he confessed and repented of his people's sins and his own sins in his prayer. The Lord answered Daniel's prayer (Daniel 9:24-25) as announced by the angel Gabriel. Therefore, God does answer prayer (1 John 5:14,15) according to His time and purposes. So, why would the Lord answer Manasseh's prayer since He was evil, but does not seem to answer my prayer, after I have given my life over to Him? Manasseh was a king over many of the Lord's people, and his area of influence alone was significant for the Lord to reach many of those who were, perhaps, already praying for their king! So, you could see Manasseh's answered prayer as not only being a fulfillment of his prayer, but the prayers of many thousands in Israel were answered when God answered Manasseh's prayer (2 Chronicles 33:14-17). Therefore, God may, in grace, answer the prayers of non-Christians, but He has not promised to do so anywhere in Scripture. Blessings to you, Makarios |