Are Christians the Only Ones Who Can Hear God's Voice?

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Hi all!

I have a question about people of other faiths “hearing God’s voice” in prayer. (Perhaps this should be asked in the “Ask an Apologist” forum, but I know there are many knowledgeable people elsewhere on the forum, so looking forward to what you have to say.)

According to Wikipedia, “Pope John Paul II organized the first World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy, on October 27, 1986. In all there were 160 religious leaders spending the day together with fasting and praying to their God or Gods. They represented 32 Christian religious organizations and 11 other non-Christian world religions.”

If Pope John Paul II believed it was a good thing for people of different world religions to pray for a common goal, did he also believe-- or does the Catholic Church believe–that it is possible for these people to also hear the voice of God, (i.e., receive messages from God) in prayer?

Thanks!

🙂
 
I think it is possible for God to communicate with us, but for the most part that is not his style. WIth the majority of situations, God doesn’t use miracles and signs to show us anything. God let’s us have the free will to act in whatever way we want, and to believe what we want. If God started talking everytime I had a doubt about belief, I would have no free will on the subject.
 
GardenMum232 said:
…or does the Catholic Church believe–that it is possible for these people to also hear the voice of God, (i.e., receive messages from God) in prayer?
Click to expand...
The catechism doesn’t say that it can’t happen, so it probably does happen.
 
In “1 John” Chapter 4, The Holy Spirit reveals some very interesting facts.
After St John admonishes His spiritual Children to “test the spirits” to see if they are of God, he speaks thus - under the guidance of the Holy Spirit…
7 Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.
Add to this that the Catechism speaks in #847 that…
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation (LG)
What is grace if it is not God’s Love granted to us?
So what should we say about one of another faith who, may not truly know Christ but who, nonetheless, seeks God through the grace of Love? Can such a one hear God’s voice? To be sure, if they reside in Love, they reside in God and if they reside in God, they can hear God’s voice…

Peace
James
 
GardenMum232 said:
Hi all!

I have a question about people of other faiths “hearing God’s voice” in prayer. (Perhaps this should be asked in the “Ask an Apologist” forum, but I know there are many knowledgeable people elsewhere on the forum, so looking forward to what you have to say.)

According to Wikipedia, “Pope John Paul II organized the first World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy, on October 27, 1986. In all there were 160 religious leaders spending the day together with fasting and praying to their God or Gods. They represented 32 Christian religious organizations and 11 other non-Christian world religions.”

If Pope John Paul II believed it was a good thing for people of different world religions to pray for a common goal, did he also believe-- or does the Catholic Church believe–that it is possible for these people to also hear the voice of God, (i.e., receive messages from God) in prayer?

Thanks!

🙂
Click to expand...
Although some on this Forum may believe Pope John Paul II went overboard in his ecumenism, I think he was correct in believing that G-d hears all prayers, from both Catholics and non-Catholics, including non-Christians, and communicates with all people. As others have stated, this belief seems to be supported by the Catholic Church. How could a G-d of such infinite love and mercy not hear the sincere prayers, as well as suffering, of all his children and speak to them by means of their feeling His presence?
 
Today, only if they are repenting of their sin to follow Jesus and his gospel, otherwise NO.

John 9:31
1Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
 
GardenMum232 said:
Hi all!
If Pope John Paul II believed it was a good thing for people of different world religions to pray for a common goal, did he also believe-- or does the Catholic Church believe–that it is possible for these people to also hear the voice of God, (i.e., receive messages from God) in prayer?

Thanks!

🙂
Click to expand...
I agree with meltzerboy
and here are a few verses that seem to support God tries to communicate with us all (regardless of professed religion)

Psalm 25:9 He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way.

Proverbs 2:6-9 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
 
Of course not…God speaks to each and every one of His children.
 
Thanks again, all!

Great points!

I may also trot over to the “Ask an Apologist” thread to see if the good guys over there have access to any official teaching about this.

🙂
 
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