In Proverbs, chapter fifteen, verse twenty-nine, “The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” God knows the heart of the wicked and the good. So none can disguise themselves before Him because He can see right through them. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” from the last half of James five, verse sixteen. The believer who prays for the right things to happen for others and not only for themselves.
The righteous one is who cries out to God for others and not for a list of things they desire or want. Why are some prayers answered and some are not? An effective prayer life is related to our devotion to God. Obeying, loving, and pleasing God are conditions to receive what we ask in prayer. In any case, those who are righteous and have a close relationship with God are the ones who do not ask for anything in prayer that would jeopardize their relationship with Him.
He heareth the prayer of the righteous because they live in righteousness. The righteous do what is right in the sight of God, which is devotion to a sinless life. In First John three, verse seven, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” Similar to how children behave with their parents. If the child listens to their mother and father and obeys them respectfully, would not the parents grant or fulfill the child’s request, especially if it is something appropriate at their stage? “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil,” as in First Peter three, verse twelve.