QUESTION: Is not the statement, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins” a prayer? If it is, how can God hear a heathen’s prayer?
ANSWER: The statement cited in the question is not a prayer, but rather is an affirmation by the one doing the baptizing that such is being done by the authority of (in the name of) the Godhead!