Does God Hear Prayers of Unbelievers?

Does God Hear the Prayers of Unbelievers?
Quite frequently people cry out, “Oh, God!” in times of peril. Sometimes they use the term so flippantly that it means nothing, however, in times of distress, it could be called a prayer. Does God hear these prayers? Recalling God’s attributes, I would have to say that He is certainly aware of the prayers of unbelievers, but the only prayer that He has obligated Himself to hear is the prayer of repentance or the prayer of faith, in which case that person ceases to be an unbeliever…
The promises of scripture that God gives His Children are not given to unbelievers. He doesn’t promise ‘to hear them’, ‘to be with them’, ‘to protect them’, ‘to meet their needs’, or ‘to fulfill their desires’. In His mercy and grace, He certainly may, but is not so obligated.
I have five kids. Three are natural; two are adopted. With each child, we have entertained friends in our home. Some even called me Dad. I remember once my oldest daughter (adopted) asking for money to go to the movies. Her best friend followed, “Dad, can I have $10.00 to go to the movies, too?” I said, “I don’t know you!” Of course, I knew her and probably even gave her the money, but I was under NO obligation to do so. She wasn’t my responsibility. Although there is NO difference in my obligation to my natural or adopted kids, (they are all heirs and joint heirs sharing equally my inheritance) the friends will not share that inheritance.
In the case of unbelievers, they have by choice opted to: 1. Have their needs met; 2. their desires fulfilled; and 3. their identities defined apart from God.
AuThor

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