In the biblical context, the term "wicked" refers to individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments and righteousness. The prayers of such individuals are addressed in several passages throughout Scripture, highlighting the spiritual and moral implications of their petitions.

Biblical Perspective on the Prayers of the Wicked:

1. God's Displeasure with the Wicked:
The Bible consistently portrays God as being displeased with the wicked due to their sinful actions and rebellion against His laws. Proverbs 15:29 states, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." This verse underscores the separation between God and those who persist in wickedness, suggesting that their prayers are not favorably received.

2. Ineffectiveness of the Wicked's Prayers:
Scripture indicates that the prayers of the wicked are often ineffective because they are not offered in a spirit of repentance or humility. Proverbs 28:9 declares, "Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable." This highlights the importance of aligning one's life with God's commandments to ensure that prayers are heard.

3. The Call to Repentance:
Despite the general disfavor towards the prayers of the wicked, the Bible also extends a call to repentance, offering hope for transformation. In Isaiah 55:7, it is written, "Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." This passage emphasizes that when the wicked turn from their sinful ways and seek God earnestly, their prayers can be met with mercy and forgiveness.

4. Examples of Wicked Prayers:
The Bible provides examples of individuals whose prayers were hindered by their wickedness. In James 4:3, it is noted, "And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This reflects the self-centered nature of prayers that are not aligned with God's will.

5. Contrast with the Righteous:
The prayers of the righteous are often contrasted with those of the wicked. James 5:16 affirms, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This contrast serves to encourage believers to pursue righteousness and align their prayers with God's purposes.

In conclusion, the Bible presents a clear distinction between the prayers of the wicked and those of the righteous. While the prayers of the wicked are often hindered by their sinful state and motives, there remains an open invitation for repentance and transformation. Through genuine repentance and a turning towards God, even those who have lived in wickedness can find their prayers heard and answered by a compassionate and forgiving God.Deuteronomy 1:45
And you returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not listen to your voice, nor give ear to you.
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Deuteronomy 3:26
But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said to me, Let it suffice you; speak no more to me of this matter.
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2 Samuel 22:42
They looked, but there was none to save; even to the LORD, but he answered them not.
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Job 27:9
Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?
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Job 35:12,13
There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.
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Psalm 18:41
They cried, but there was none to save them: even to the LORD, but he answered them not.
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Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
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Proverbs 1:24-28
Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
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Proverbs 15:8,29
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
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Proverbs 21:13,27
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
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Proverbs 28:9
He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
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Isaiah 1:15
And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
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Isaiah 45:19
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not to the seed of Jacob, Seek you me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
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Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
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Jeremiah 11:11
Therefore thus said the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil on them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry to me, I will not listen to them.
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Jeremiah 14:12
When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
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Jeremiah 15:1
Then said the LORD to me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
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Jeremiah 18:17
I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
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Lamentations 3:8,44
Also when I cry and shout, he shuts out my prayer.
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Ezekiel 8:18
Therefore will I also deal in fury: my eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
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Ezekiel 20:3,31
Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; Are you come to inquire of me? As I live, said the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
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Hosea 5:6
They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them.
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Micah 3:4
Then shall they cry to the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
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Zechariah 7:12,13
Yes, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts has sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
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Malachi 1:9
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious to us: this has been by your means: will he regard your persons? said the LORD of hosts.
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Malachi 2:11-13
Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and has married the daughter of a strange god.
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John 9:31
Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.
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James 1:6,7
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
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James 4:3
You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.
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1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
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Christ's Prayer for his People
... is THE DOCTRINAL INFERENCE WE MAY DERIVE FROM THIS PRAYER. ... first inference"Death
is God taking the people out of ... where the vintage of the wicked is gathered ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs prayer for his people.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... still true, "Ye are of God, little children, and the whole world lieth in the wicked
one." The ... "Lord, make thy people holy," should be our daily prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

Concerted Prayer
... There was no union of prayer effort looking to ... put away from among yourselves that
wicked person" Here was ... of action on the part of praying people demanded by ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/xi concerted prayer.htm

A Prayer for the Morning.
... not to suffer the devil nor his wicked angels, nor ... this church and commonwealth,
to govern the people in true ... thy glory, in that form of prayer, which Christ ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a prayer for the morning.htm

The Christian Sabbath --Peter's Confession of Faith.
... Only a wicked people look for a sign, He said, and no sign should ... He was able to
pray alone, and once, after prayer, He questioned ... "Whom say the people that I ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the christian sabbathpeters.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... His eternal purpose because a few wicked men have ... of devout saints prayed this
importunate prayer in the ... God's people were not praying for boldness because ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

The Life of St. Paul the Apostle
... In Iconia and Thessalonica he was pursued of wicked people. ... endured almost to night,
the residue of the time was for to eat, sleep, and for prayer, which was ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st paul.htm

From Adam to Moses.
... by "an altar"; and how in early times people came to God in prayer. ... 6.= Were those
who lived at that time good people? =Nearly all of them were very wicked.=. ...
/.../hurlbut/hurlbuts bible lessons/part first from adam to moses.htm

The Character of Christ's People
... were sent down to the world to pick out the righteous from the wicked. ... not do for
me; I would rather be in a prayer meeting; I could be with the people of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the character of christs people.htm

Letter ix. Religious Culture and Duty.
... morning and evening worship, which consisted of singing, reading the Bible, and
prayer. ... a literal lake of fire and brimstone, into which wicked people would be ...
/.../letter ix religious culture and.htm

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Wicked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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