The Prayer of the Unrighteous

Last Thursday during a conversation, a question came up regarding prayer on ones behalf. Do you want everyone praying for you, or just the righteous?

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. (James 5:16b)

James tells us that there is great value in the prayer of the righteous. The righteous man is in a right relationship with God. But sin can interfere with the prayers of saved as well as the unsaved.

If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; (Psalms 66:18)

It is not that God is unable to hear, but that He will not listen.

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)

If sin interferes with the relationship between God and His redeemed, what of the relationship between God and the unsaved?

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent! (Proverbs 21:27)

Even the religious actions of the unrighteous are an abomination and offense to God.

The LORD is far from the wicked (Proverbs 15:29a)

So one has to ask, do you really want the unsaved praying on your behalf?  Do you want the unrepentant believer praying on your behalf?