Matthew 6:31-33. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Everyone prays in one way or another. Religious people pray. Those without faith pray. Even those who claim not to believe in God still pursue the things of this world with all their heart, mind, and strength—that, in itself, is a kind of prayer. Whatever dominates a person’s thoughts becomes their prayer. But the real question is: to whom are these prayers actually offered?
It’s worth asking: why and how do unbelievers receive answers to their prayers? All religions practice some form of prayer. But how can prayers offered to idols produce results? And how do leaders of cults or false religions display supernatural power?
The truth is, unbelievers can and often do receive what they ask for. But in the end, it leads to ruin: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). The source of those answers is not God—it’s the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44). These answers are deceptive, designed to lead people further away from the truth. Many are fooled, simply because what they asked for appeared to come true.
Without understanding salvation, a person cannot truly pray to God. Adam’s original position in the Garden of Eden was unique—God blessed him and gave him dominion over all creation: “Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground’” (Genesis 1:28). This was a position of absolute blessing and authority.
But when humanity lost paradise, we were utterly separated from the glory and presence of God (Genesis 3:11–15). As a result, suffering, disease, and death entered the world. All people began to follow the ways of the world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air—the devil (Ephesians 2:2). Every person was destined for eternal destruction.
Worst of all, we lost the privilege to pray to God.
Now, under the devil’s control, people desire to carry out his will (John 8:44). In his dominion, there is no true peace, no real rest. That’s why people constantly worry, asking, “What shall we eat?” “What shall we drink?” “What shall we wear?” Trapped in anxiety and fear, they chase after these things because they belong to the family of darkness. They fall into all kinds of deception, just like the Samaritans who were captivated by Simon the sorcerer for a long time (Acts 8:9–13).
Scripture makes it clear that answers to the prayers of unbelievers do not come from God: “Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons” (1 Corinthians 10:19–20). In other words, what they receive in response to their prayers comes from demons. And the “solutions” they experience only lead to greater suffering and deeper bondage.
At times, people achieve success or see dreams come true without ever worshiping God. This may result from strong willpower or intense desire. Under God’s common grace, when people focus their energy on a goal, some things do come to pass. But these accomplishments do not provide the true, fundamental answer that only God can give. In fact, the result may be worse than before:
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:43–45).
God chooses whom He listens to—only His children. The answers that come from the Father are entirely different from the deceptive gifts of the enemy. That’s why anyone who approaches God in prayer must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Everyone who had this faith conquered the world (Hebrews 11:38).
When you pray, remember who God is and who you are. Believe that nothing is impossible with your Father. Prayer that is based on human standards or self-effort is not true prayer. Your Father is the Creator, who made all things from nothing by His Word. He is the one who makes a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:19). His ways and thoughts are far higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9).
He dwells in you by His Spirit and works powerfully through you when you pray in Jesus’ name. He fulfills His promises found in His Word. So pray with faith in Him. Ask not for what you want, but for what He desires—His kingdom and His righteousness. That is the heart of prayer for those who are truly God’s children.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the privilege of prayer that I have in Jesus Christ. Help me to pray as Your child—enjoying You, trusting You, and seeking what You desire. In Jesus’ name, Amen.