The Bible encourages seeking God with an open and sincere heart, emphasizing that genuine seeking leads to finding. While it does not provide a specific formula for prayer, especially for those uncertain of God’s existence, it does offer guidance on approaching God with a genuine desire to know Him.

A prayer for an atheist curious about God’s existence might not focus on asking for proof in the way one might expect, like a miraculous sign or an undeniable intervention. Instead, it could be a prayer for understanding, guidance, and an open heart to perceive God in the ways He reveals Himself. The essence of such a prayer could be rooted in humility and a genuine desire to know the truth, whatever it may be.

Here are some principles from the Bible that might shape such a prayer:

1. Seek with sincerity: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). A prayer could express a sincere desire to know if God exists and to understand His nature.
2. Ask for understanding and wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Asking for wisdom and understanding can open one’s mind to the possibility of God’s presence and action in the world.
3. A desire to see: In the Gospels, those who came to Jesus for healing often expressed a simple, profound desire to see or be healed. Mimicking this simplicity, one might pray for the ability to see or perceive God’s presence in a way that is understandable to them.
4. Openness to change: A prayer could express a willingness to be open to change, should evidence of God’s existence become apparent. This reflects a heart posture that is genuinely seeking truth, willing to be led where it might go.
5. Request for peace and presence: Even without certainty of God’s existence, one can still pray for the peace and comfort that believers testify comes from God. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Such a prayer doesn’t demand signs or wonders as proof but rather seeks an open, honest dialogue about the desire to understand and know if God exists. It’s about expressing openness to the possibility of God and asking for the awareness, peace, and wisdom to recognize His presence.

Remember, the Bible portrays God as loving and patient, desiring that people come to know Him rather than remaining distant. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). This suggests that any step toward understanding God, including a prayer from an atheist, is welcomed with love and openness on God’s part.

The Bible speaks to the openness of God to all who seek Him, emphasizing that sincere seeking and a genuine heart can lead individuals to find God, regardless of their starting point. While the Bible does not specifically address atheists in contemporary terms, it offers principles applicable to anyone seeking to know whether God exists and if they can relate to Him personally.

One of the most inclusive invitations is found in Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” This promise suggests that the sincerity of one’s search for God is crucial. It is the condition of the heart, open and earnest in its seeking, that is key to finding God.

The New Testament also presents the principle that those who genuinely seek God can come to know Him. In Acts 17:27, while speaking to the people of Athens, Paul notes that God’s purpose in the arrangements of nations and times is “so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” This suggests that God is accessible to all who earnestly reach out to Him.

Jesus’ teachings also affirm the availability of God to those who seek. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus states, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). This is a general principle of seeking and finding, asking, and receiving, which applies to the deepest spiritual search.

For someone who identifies as an atheist but is open to exploring the possibility of God’s existence through prayer, these scriptures suggest that an honest and sincere approach is what matters. Prayer, in this context, can be understood as an expression of openness to God, a willingness to communicate, and a step towards seeking a relationship with Him.

It is also worth noting that throughout the Bible, there are stories of people who were far from God or did not know Him, yet they came to experience His presence and reality in their lives through various means, including revelation, personal encounters, and the testimonies of others. These narratives highlight the transformative potential of seeking God with a genuine heart.

In summary, the biblical perspective offers hope and encouragement to all seekers, including those who might currently identify as atheists but are exploring the possibility of God’s existence and presence through prayer or any form of sincere seeking.