Can a Christian pray for the death of a believer who is sinning?
No. Scripture states that no believer or church body has the right to pray for the death of an erring believer; such a prayer is never permissible. The matter belongs in God's hands, even when God may choose to take a persistently sinful believer's physical life.
Les teaches that 1 John 5:16 distinguishes sins that do not cause God to take a believer out of physical life from a sin unto death. If a believer refuses to come away from a sinful lifestyle, God may take that person home—perhaps through a sudden heart attack or car accident—so they do not keep bringing reproach to His name. Yet John says, "I do not say that you shall pray for it." Les explains that no believer and no church body ever has the right to pray for the death of an erring believer. That is never permissible; it is in God's hands. Earlier, Galatians 6:1 says spiritual believers should restore such a one in meekness, remembering that anyone can fall.
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
More Questions
What is the sin unto death that John says not to pray for?
According to John's epistle there is a sin unto death, and John warns that you should not pray for it.
Do believers who commit the sin unto death lose their salvation?
Believers who commit the kind of deep, open sin that God removes from physical existence by death do not lose their salvation—Scripture says God takes them out of their physical existence, but they are still saved.