As a devout Christian, I take an interest in prayer-related topics since prayer is a regular practice in my life. I was especially intrigued by this topic after hearing someone say that one has to pray to go to heaven. I wanted to conduct more research on this and spent an entire week reading the Bible. I also visited a church and talked to different spiritual leaders to learn more about it. Last Monday, as I was teaching my theology college class on how to get to heaven, one of my students asked me whether one can go to heaven if they don’t pray. Another one asked whether prayer creates salvation. Since I had done in-depth research on this, I had all the right answers. So, can I go to heaven if I don’t pray?
Prayer is not the key to going to heaven. Jesus said that the only way one can get to the Father is through him (John 14:6). This means that to get to heaven, one must receive Christ as their savior. Therefore, praying does not guarantee that you will go to heaven. With that said, the Bible instructs us to pray since this practice strengthens our relationship with God.
In this article, I invite you to join me as we examine whether you can go to heaven if you don’t pray. Keep reading to find out what the Bible says about this, whether prayer creates salvation, and much more!
What does the Bible say about prayer?
Jesus taught his followers how to pray in Matthew 6:5-15. He said that when you pray, you should do it behind closed doors. Jesus also teaches us what to say when we pray. He said that we should start by acknowledging God the Father and asking for his will to be done.
2nd Chronicles 7:14 tells that one should humble himself and pray. By doing this, God in Heaven will hear his prayer and forgive his sins. According to 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18, we should pray continually, giving thanks in all situations. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to pray over every situation we face rather than being anxious about things.
Does prayer create salvation?
No. There is no verse in the Bible that says that prayer creates salvation. Therefore, one cannot receive salvation by reciting a prayer. Salvation comes from believing in Jesus Christ and accepting him as your personal savior. This is clearly stated in John 3:16, which says that God loves us and gave his son so that anyone that believes in him will have eternal life. This is the only way to receive salvation. Ephesians 2:8 also tells us that we get saved through faith and not by doing anything like reciting a prayer.
What will happen if we don’t pray to God?
Though prayer does not create salvation, the Bible encourages us to pray. Christians believe that when one fails to pray, they distance themselves from God. Others argue that prayerlessness may lead to lack. Jesus said that if we ask, we shall receive, and we seek, we shall find (Luke 11:9-10). Since praying is making our requests known to God, if you don’t pray, you may not receive what you desire. Others suggest that we may not see God working in our
lives if we do not pray. This can make one lose faith.
Can prayer guarantee you a place in heaven?
No. Prayer cannot guarantee you a place in heaven since this is not the key to getting to heaven. Jesus said that the only way to get to heaven is through believing in him. In John 14:6, he said that he is the life, the truth, and the way. He also said that no one cannot come to the Father except through him. Therefore praying does not guarantee you a place in heaven, but believing in Christ can.
Can praying for a dead person help get him into heaven?
No. Though some people believe this, praying for a dead person to get to heaven is not biblical. Christians believe that by the time a person dies, their eternal destiny is already determined. They argue that the dead person is either in hell if they did not believe in God or is in heaven if they believed. Therefore, no amount of prayers can help a dead person who died a sinner go to heaven.
Jesus explained this concept when he gave the story of the rich man and Lazarus. According to Luke 16:19-31, when a person dies a sinner, they are eternally separated from God, and this cannot be changed.
Is someone hell bound if they don’t perform any prayer at all?
No. We mentioned that prayer does not determine whether one goes to heaven or hell; salvation does. Therefore, one is not hellbound if they fail to perform any prayer at all. However, the Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing for a reason. Praying brings us close to God and helps Christians overcome the temptations of the devil. Not praying does not make someone hellbound, but it draws them further away from God.
Does God punish people for not praying?
Theologians have different views on this. According to some, God does not punish people for not praying. However, since the theme of prayer is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, God definitely wants humans to pray. They further argue that what God punishes is rejecting him (Revelation 22: 10-12). On the other hand, other Bible scholars suggest that Prayerlessness is a sin against God and may be punishable. This argument is based on 1st Samuel 12:23.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
