Wicked Requests

(Proverbs 15:29 NAS77)  The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Have you ever had someone ask you to pray for them?  Even in our pagan culture we find this except it is often expressed as “thinking good thoughts.”  There is a reason, even if these people do not understand.

God will not listen to them.  I think it is safe to say from this that God does not hear the prayers of the “wicked” (7563).  This is not the only place you find it.  It is not a one time, proof-text, build a doctrine on a verse example.  God does not respond to the pleas of those who refuse to bow their knee to Him.  Thus they are forced to come to us to put in a good word for them.

One exception is the prayer of repentance.  God is always willing to listen to that.  And when others in the body of Christ ask for our prayers it isn’t because God doesn’t listen to them.  It might be more a matter of obeying the command to pray for each other.  It might also be a recognition that some people have a greater gift of faith or power.

So?  Do you want God to listen when you pray?  Get right with Him.  Then you can be an advocate for others instead of someone looking for a friend with contacts.