Does God hear / answer the prayers of a sinner / unbeliever?

Response

John 9:31 states, “We understand that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does His will.” It has been said that “the only prayer God hears from a sinner is the prayer for salvation.” Consequently, some hold the belief that God does not hear or will never respond to the prayers of an unbeliever. However, in its context, John 9:31 conveys that God does not perform miracles through an unbeliever. First John 5:14-15 explains that God answers prayers based on whether they align with His will. This principle may also apply to unbelievers. If an unbeliever prays to God in accordance with His will, there is nothing preventing God from answering such a prayer—according to His will.

Certain Scriptures depict God hearing and responding to the prayers of unbelievers. Prayer was involved in most of these instances. In a few cases, God answered the cry of the heart (without specifying if the cry was directed towards God). In some scenarios, the prayer appears to be accompanied by repentance. However, in other cases, the prayer was solely for an earthly need or blessing, and God responded either out of compassion or in acknowledgment of the genuine seeking or faith of the individual. Below are some passages that discuss prayer by an unbeliever:

The people of Nineveh prayed for the sparing of Nineveh (Jonah 3:5-10). God answered their prayer and did not destroy the city of Nineveh as He had threatened.

Hagar pleaded with God to protect her son Ishmael (Genesis 21:14-19). God not only safeguarded Ishmael but also blessed him abundantly.

In 1 Kings 21:17-29, particularly verses 27-29, Ahab fasted and mourned in response to Elijah’s prophecy regarding his descendants. God chose not to bring about the predicted calamity during Ahab’s lifetime.

The Gentile womanFrom the Tyre and Sidon area, a woman prayed for Jesus to deliver her daughter from a demon (Mark 7:24-30). Jesus cast the demon out of the woman’s daughter.

Cornelius, the Roman centurion in Acts 10, had the apostle Peter sent to him in response to Cornelius being a righteous man. Acts 10:2 tells us that Cornelius “prayed to God regularly.”

God does make promises that are applicable to all (saved and unsaved alike) such as Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” This was the case for Cornelius in Acts 10:1-6. However, there are many promises that, according to the context of the passages, are for Christians alone. Because Christians have received Jesus as the Savior, they are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace to find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are told that when we ask for anything according to God’s will, He hears and gives us what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15). There are many other promises for Christians concerning prayer (Matthew 21:22;John 14:13,15:7). So, yes, there are instances in which God does not answer the prayers of an unbeliever. At the same time, in His grace and mercy, God can intervene in the lives of unbelievers in response to their prayers.