Omniscience means that God knows everything – including what we say or even think. In that respect God certainly “hears” our prayers – whether we are saved or lost.

The problem, however, is with us. Let me explain. Have you ever been in an argument with someone who was flat wrong?  I mean you were RIGHT. And when you refused to change your mind (because you were right) they responded, “You aren’t listening to me.” But you know you were listening. You fully understood both sides of the issue and they were still wrong. But they will go to their grave claiming, “You never listen to me.” 

The only way for you to “prove” to someone like this that you “heard” them is for you to arrive at the same conclusion they did. They won’t believe you “heard” them until you change your mind and agree with them. We’ve all experienced that frustration. And probably done the same thing at one time or another – demanded vindication of our position with only one acceptable proof: acknowledge I’m right!

Here’s the application. You and I only think that God hears us when He answers our way. If our loved one dies, our marriage falls apart, disaster strikes, the bill doesn’t get paid, we say, “God didn’t hear me.” That isn’t true. God heard you loud and clear. The problem is we aren’t hearing God. 

In Scripture God has answered the prayers of both godly and ungodly men (cf. Abraham and Balaam). His answers can range from “yes” or “no” to “wait” or anything in between. The Bible tells the Christian that God will not answer his prayers if he refuses to confess his sin or is praying outside the will of God (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 1:15; 59:2; Jeremiah 7:16; James 4:3).

There is one prayer – and only one – that God has obligated Himself to answer yes without exception: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). When a truly repentant sinner calls on God for forgiveness, not only must God answer, but He must answer yes! He has bound Himself by His own Word.

Salvation in the Word of God is not from drowning, financial difficulty, family disasters, health problems, etc. (Although God can certainly intervene in all of these situations.) Salvation results from a prayer of repentance made to the Creator of the world asking for forgiveness. No matter how good we are compared to those around us, we fall short of the glory of God. God’s glory is His holy righteousness. Only God is without sin. Therefore, you and I are sinners.

If you say, “I’m not a sinner,” God’s offer of salvation is not to you. That attitude tramples underfoot the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. But if you will say, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” then you are one of the “whosoever” in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”