Does God hear the prayers of little children and others who are safe? I understand the safe ones to be those who have never developed in mind to the point they are accountable to God. We believe God hears all things. Does he answer the prayers of these? How do we harmonize all of this with the Christian have the right and privilege of prayer? All help appreciated. ~ Don Turnmire
As far as I know, the Bible does not specifically address or provide an example of how God responds to the prayers of unaccountable children. Any suppositions we avow, based on whatever principles to which we may appeal, probably evidence diminished certainty. Sometimes we must defer to the principle of Deuteronomy 29:29: “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
However, we should include instructions about prayer in the upbringing of our even small children; we must teach them to pray (Luke 11:1; Ephesians 6:4). Further, that Jesus instructed accountable persons (his disciples and others present) to imitate the virtuous traits of small children respecting salvation (i.e., humility, Matthew 18:3-4), indicates that the children of God (Christians today) need to acquire the innocency of small children (who are safe rather than saved). Therefore, it is reasonable to acknowledge that unaccountable children enjoy a relationship with God that accountable persons can obtain by becoming as little children (in the way the Gospel prescribes), by which they can pray acceptable prayers to God. Yet, though an unaccountable child may enjoy a relationship with God that would accommodate meaningful prayer, if a child offers a meaningful prayer to God, is that child unaccountable or accountable (and if accountable, needing to become a Christian)? If an unaccountable child offers a meaningful prayer, is that prayer really the child’s prayer or what an adult has taught a child about praying? Whose prayer is it? Whose prayer, really, would God be answering?
