Yes, we may pray for them to accept Christ....and some will. And that is good (Dan 12:3). But like it or not, God is supremely sovereign. He does things because it pleases Him, it brings glory to Him and it occurs because it is in His master plan. He decides who will and who will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Is our theology based on man or God? When we pray for someone to accept Christ in order to receive life are we doing it because we want that individual to be happy or for God to be happy? AND they aren't necessarily the same.
Take for instance His election of angels to choose life with Him. The other 1/3 of the angels were given the choice to either accept Him or not. They chose Not and were thrown down to earth with satan. If the Lord will elect angels and allow others that are not elected to fall, won't He do the same for man?
Take for instance Romans 8:28-33.
Romans 8
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
Or Matthew:
30"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Or 1Timothy 5:
21I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
Elect = Chosen
Chosen = elected, selected
Justify = Declare guiltless
supreme =
adj.
Greatest in power, authority, or rank; paramount or dominant. Greatest in importance, degree, significance, character, or achievement. Ultimate; final.
sovereign =
n. One that exercises supreme, permanent authority
1. Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others; chief
2. Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction
This is the way I understand scripture as of now. Feel free to debate, but I'll be in and out as I have some things to get done today. :)