Several years ago I was pastoring a church in the Washington, D.C.
area- inside the infamous "Beltway." The community where we lived was a
vast mixture of internationals and Maryland natives who once lived on
small farms until suburbian sprawl overtook them. There was one event
to which I was invited bringing all of the spiritual leaders of the
community together. There were Catholic and Christian priests and
ministers of several protestant denominations. There were two or three
Jewish rabbis, a Muslim imam, two or three Hindu and Buddist priests,
and a Wiccan or two thrown in for good measure. At a certain point in
the event, each of the spiritual leaders were asked to recite or give a
prayer, incantation, or some sort of spiritual dialogue with their
spiritual being. I'm not really sure what the Wiccans were doing; maybe
casting a spell? I was so uncomfortable with what I saw going on around
me that I actually feigned illness and left the room. A strange
feeling came over me- as though I was in a place which I did not
belong. As much as I tried finding affinity with that group, I could
not. What I thought was even more strange was that as I came out of the
restroom, the Muslim imam, with his long peppery beard and white skull
cap on his face was coming in. Perhaps he felt as I did, though
possibly for different reasons. The next thing I knew I was in my car
and on my way home.
Yesterday I began the year's devotional by discussing what prayers does
God hear? I will continue on this subject once again by with a reminder
that God hears the prayers of the contrite, not the casual. I realize
that we have adopted casual as the lifestyle of the new millennium.
There are some things that are right about that, (I long for the day
when the necktie will be banished forever) but a lot of things that are
wrong also (which is a whole other subject). It is true that because of
our new relationship with God we may approach Him with all the
confidence of a child approaching his father, just as long as it is
understood that we approach God respectfully, and not flippantly, and
without sinful hearts and attitudes.
What would be another reason that God would not hear our prayers? I
have heard it said that God does not hear the prayer of the unsaved.
Usually there is a period after this statement, which would be partially
true and, once again, limited to at least one condition: God would not
hear the prayer of the unsaved for the same reason given above. If the
prayer is motivated from an unrepentant heart, saved or unsaved, God
would not hear that prayer. And since repentance serves one of the
bases of salvation, then it could be said that, at least in that
instance, God would not hear the prayer of the unsaved. Perhaps it
would be more correct to say that God does not hear the prayer of the
unrepentant, but not necessarily all of the unsaved. I will leave you
to your own conclusions about whether other faith groups will have their
prayers heard as well. However, to state unilaterally that God does not
hear all the prayers of the unsaved would place the unsaved completely
outside of God's redemptive purpose, which of course is absurd. "God is
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance." II Peter 3:9. God will indeed hear the prayer of the
unsaved when it is made thus: "Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner.
I repent of my sins and yield my live to You. I confess You as my Lord
and Savior." That type of prayer is open to everyone, and thereby
giving everyone access to God.
I realize that I will probably offend some by this writing. If I do,
it is not intentional. People are offended by what they perceive as
exclusivism. I submit to you that Christianity is not exclusivist.
Everybody loves Jesus, but hates Christianity. Yet let us not forget
that Jesus taught that there was only one way to salvation, and He is
that way (John 14:6). Exclusivism, by definition, means to exclude
others while keeping a few inside a predetermined circle. Christ has
never excluded anyone- He offers salvation for all. And He hears the
prayers of the repentant and those who have faith in Him. If there is
any exclusivism going on, its on the part of the unrepentant, who balk
at the one condition Christ has offered for their salvation.
Does God hear your prayers? You might like to think that He does, but
it never hurts to make certain. Go to Him with a repentant heart today,
and He will hear You.
Have a blessed day.**
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