Praying Isn't Evidence of Salvation

Most people are in denial and practice "pretending" often. They make up things in their head that they want to believe and repeat it as though it is truth. I am running into this all the time, people will say things that are clearly not true and when challenged about it's authenticity according to the Bible, they say, "we just have to believe." My answer is, that it is important "what" we believe, just believing doesn't make something true. They do this same thing with "praying", they get all excited when a public official prays, even when we know that person is not born again, as though praying is evidence of something good.

Buddhists pray, Catholics pray, Jehovah's Witness pray, all the cults pray even Satanist. Praying is not an indication that someone is saved or that they are spiritual.

Praying has become a ritual in this country merely as a means of comforting ourselves in difficult or sad situations, it means nothing unless we are praying to the One True God and in the name of Jesus Christ.

I have to wonder about those who say, "but at least he prayed", in reference to our president when in a public place, such as the western wall. God hates the prayers of unbelievers, He hates for unbelievers to proclaim Him. It matters who witnesses Christ and it matters Whom to which we pray.

Acts 16:17-19 "…17 This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” 18 She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment. 19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.…"

The demon possessed girl was a seer, Paul didn't want her going around saying the right things, it would have given her credibility in her divination.

Please do not get excited merely because someone prayed publicly, it is often a show and means nothing. Get excited when someone becomes broken over their sin, is changed into a new creation and the evidence they exhibit will be the fruit of the Spirit and a completely changed outlook as well as behavior.

Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Those who have become born again don't have to go around bragging about the new them, everyone who knew them will see the change in everything about them. They will have a love for the Lord and a fervor that is evident to all. Galatians tells us all about it in chapter 5.