Is it Biblical to Pray for the Salvation of Unbelievers?
A preacher I knew told me that he didn't pray for the salvation of unbelievers "Because God has done all He can do. Now it's up to man to exercise his free will and make a decision."
As for me, I'm praying and persuading.
Finally, brothers,1 pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,2 as happened among you,
(2 Thessalonians 3)
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV)
A preacher I knew told me that he didn't pray for the salvation of unbelievers "Because God has done all He can do. Now it's up to man to exercise his free will and make a decision."
As for me, I'm praying and persuading.
This preacher is a consistent synergist, whereas many synergists are not, because while insisting that the final decision is left up to man, they pray for God to do something more for some individual than they admit he has done for all men everywhere.
One of the worst sermons I ever listened to by a synergist, where at one point he actually stated that a passage said the exact opposite of what it stated, was followed by a monergistic prayer!
A Prayer That a Synergist Won't Pray by John Hendryx
Why Do We Pray For Others' Salvation? by John Hendryx
Romans 10:1, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."
Paul recognized that the spiritual blindness of his countrymen was not going to be overcome merely by his preaching the Gospel.