I don't know who the elect are, so I pray for God's will concerning all people.
Why does it matter what the Reformed know. God knows everything and you need not worry who the "elect" are. You have been given the commandment to teach the world and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It doesn't say "to the elect."
Amen, Kosta. No complaints from me here. :) I hope I haven't given you any impressions to the contrary. Just by the math, if I follow God's commandment exactly, it is doubtless that I will preach to many who are not of the elect. That is a wonderful thing and glory be to God for it. :)
The "elect" is something St. Paul used to show that the Christians are really the New Israel (people of God), and as such His "chosen" sheep. However, Christ's ministry shows that this was not an election of privilege but of sacrifice and mercy.
Are you asserting a conflict between Paul and Christ? If so, I don't see it. First, Paul's use of "elect" clearly also covers the OT since He says so many times that predestination is from the beginning, or from the foundation of the world. Christ's ministry shows that He sacrificed and showed mercy on these people. I see no conflict. All these things are true.
Pray what? What are you praying for? For God to change His mind? For God to un-ordianed that which He ordianed before the foundations of the world, accoridng to your theology?
Prayer is not just praise, but supplication. You are asking for a favor. Whe yu rpay for others (no knowing who is elect and who isn't) you are asking God for soemthing on their behalf. That soemthing is soemthing God determined is due to them before your ever lived and will nto change no matter how much you pray.
However, if God has already predestined everything then your prayer will change nothing. Those who are destined to hell will go to hell and those destined to heaven will go to heaven with or without your prayer.