Answer # 99

Jesus showed in His parable in Luke 18:1-8 that "men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (verse 1).

True, God does not hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). And we know that everyone has sinned and cut himself off from God: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isa, 59:2).

But does this mean that one must wait until he is perfect before beginning to pray? 0f course not! Jesus Christ is the only human who lived a perfect life. Everyone else has sinned (Rom. 3:23). How, then, can sinners seek God?

The prophet Isaiah tells us, "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near." How do we call upon God? How do we seek Him? "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isa. 55:6-7).

God will hear and answer the prayers of those who approach Him in a repentant, humble attitude: "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor [humble] and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa. 66:2).

A sinner must repent of transgressing God's law — forsake the way he has been living and start to obey God. Once he repents of going the wrong way and is baptized, accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for his sins, he is no longer a sinner in God's sight. God will hear and give His Holy Spirit to such a person, if the person obeys Him (Acts 5:32). The person must be willing to forsake his ways and thoughts and go the way of God.

God will hear and answer the prayers of those He is calling to a knowledge of His truth.

Before conversion and baptism, God sends His Holy Spirit to work with us and lead us. After repentance and baptism, He actually puts His Spirit within us, enabling us to grow and develop spiritually as His own sons. Then He will hear us, because we "keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 John 3:22).