Understanding God’s election

Man is doubly incapable of believing in Jesus and the Gospel

Father God elects (chooses) and calls whomever He wishes

The reason why Father God chooses some, but not others

Those whom Father God gives to Jesus are guaranteed salvation

The natural man and fools are characterized as, or known for:

1. being wicked (2 Samuel 13:13; Psalm 94:3,8)

2. mockers of God (Psalm 74:22)

3. not understanding their bleak eternal destiny (Psalm 92:6)

4. being rebellious (Psalm 107:17)

5. despising spiritual wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)

6. hating spiritual knowledge (Proverbs 1:22)

7. mockers delighting in mockiery (Proverbs 1:22)

8. being wayward and complacent (Proverbs 1:32)

9. being wicked and held up to shame by God (Proverbs 3:33,35)

10. dying for their lack of knowledge (Proverbs 10:21)

11. having hearts that blurt out folly (Proverbs 12:23)

12. detesting the thought to turn away from evil (Proverbs 13:19)

13. bringing harm to their companions (Proverbs 13:20)

14. folly in their heart that is deception (Proverbs 14:8)

15. mockers at making amends for their sins (Proverbs 14:9)

16. known for their folly that only yields folly (Proverbs 14:24)

17. not spreading true [spiritual] knowledge (Proverbs15:7)

18. their folly that brings them punishment (Proverbs 16:22)

20. being ignorant of their wrong-doings (Ecclesiastes 5:1)

21. being unpleasing to God (Ecclesiastes 5:4)

22. having hearts that are in the house of pleasure (Ecclesiastes7:4)

23. their laughter as being meaningless (Ecclesiastes 7:6)

24. their anger residing in their laps (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

25. thinking of themselves as wise counsellors but only giving senseless advice (Isaiah 19:11)

26. not being willing to walk in the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8)

27. not knowing God (Jeremiah 4:22)

28. being false prophets (Jeremiah 50:36)

29. being equated with the wicked (1 Samuel 25:25)

30. at times for recognizing themselves as being great sinners (1 Samuel 26:21)

31. resentment or envy slaying them (Job 5:2)

31. denying the existence of God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)

32. their chattering that bring them to ruin (Proverbs 10:10,14)

33. the spreaders of slander (Proverbs 10:18)

34. finding pleasure in evil conduct (Proverbs 10:23)

35. choosing a way that seems right to them and ignoring good advice (Proverbs 12:15)

36. angering quickly (Proverbs 12:16; 20:3; 29:11)

37. exposing their own folly (Proverbs 13:16)

38. being hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16)

39. having mouths that gush folly (Proverbs 15:2)

40. having mouths that feed on folly (Proverbs 15:14)

41. spurning their father's discipline (Proverbs 15:5)

42. having no desire to get wisdom (Proverbs 17:16)

43. finding no pleasure in understanding (Proverbs 18:2)

44. delighting in airing their own opinions (Proverbs 18:2)

45. having perverse lips (Proverbs 19:1)

46. scorning the wisdom of wise words if the wise speak to them (Proverbs23:9)

47. their proverbs being as useless as a lame man's legs hanging limp (Proverbs 26:7).

48. a dog that returns to its vomit when it repeats its folly (Proverbs 26:11)

49. their provocation which is heavier than stone and sand (Proverbs 27:3)

50. their great reluctance in removing their folly from themselves (Proverbs 27:22)

51. trusting in themselves (Proverbs 28:26)

52. raging and scoffing at the wise man with whom he goes to court (Proverbs 29:9)

53. playing the fool, exalting themselves or planning evil (Proverbs 30:32)

54. walking in the darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:14)

55. folding their hands and bringing ruin to themselves (Ecclesiastes 4:5)

56. their speech pours out many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3)

57. lacking sense and showing everyone how stupid they are (Ecclesiastes 10:13)

58. being consumed by their own lips (Ecclesiastes 10:12)

59. multiplying their own words (Ecclesiastes 10:14)

60. speaking folly (Isaiah 32:6)

61. their minds being busy with evil (Isaiah 32:6)

62. practicing ungodliness and spreading error concerning the Lord (Isaiah 32:6)

63. leaving the hungry empty and withholding water from the thirsty (Isaiah 32:6)

64. gaining riches by unjust gains (Jer 17:11)

The natural man and fools are characterized as, or known for:

1. being wicked (2 Samuel 13:13; Psalm 94:3,8)

2. mockers of God (Psalm 74:22)

3. not understanding their bleak eternal destiny (Psalm 92:6)

4. being rebellious (Psalm 107:17)

5. despising spiritual wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)

6. hating spiritual knowledge (Proverbs 1:22)

7. mockers delighting in mockiery (Proverbs 1:22)

8. being wayward and complacent (Proverbs 1:32)

9. being wicked and held up to shame by God (Proverbs 3:33,35)

10. dying for their lack of knowledge (Proverbs 10:21)

11. having hearts that blurt out folly (Proverbs 12:23)

12. detesting the thought to turn away from evil (Proverbs 13:19)

13. bringing harm to their companions (Proverbs 13:20)

14. folly in their heart that is deception (Proverbs 14:8)

15. mockers at making amends for their sins (Proverbs 14:9)

16. known for their folly that only yields folly (Proverbs 14:24)

17. not spreading true [spiritual] knowledge (Proverbs15:7)

18. their folly that brings them punishment (Proverbs 16:22)

20. being ignorant of their wrong-doings (Ecclesiastes 5:1)

21. being unpleasing to God (Ecclesiastes 5:4)

22. having hearts that are in the house of pleasure (Ecclesiastes7:4)

23. their laughter as being meaningless (Ecclesiastes 7:6)

24. their anger residing in their laps (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

25. thinking of themselves as wise counsellors but only giving senseless advice (Isaiah 19:11)

26. not being willing to walk in the Way of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8)

27. not knowing God (Jeremiah 4:22)

28. being false prophets (Jeremiah 50:36)

29. being equated with the wicked (1 Samuel 25:25)

30. at times for recognizing themselves as being great sinners (1 Samuel 26:21)

31. resentment or envy slaying them (Job 5:2)

31. denying the existence of God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1)

32. their chattering that bring them to ruin (Proverbs 10:10,14)

33. the spreaders of slander (Proverbs 10:18)

34. finding pleasure in evil conduct (Proverbs 10:23)

35. choosing a way that seems right to them and ignoring good advice (Proverbs 12:15)

36. angering quickly (Proverbs 12:16; 20:3; 29:11)

37. exposing their own folly (Proverbs 13:16)

38. being hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16)

39. having mouths that gush folly (Proverbs 15:2)

40. having mouths that feed on folly (Proverbs 15:14)

41. spurning their father's discipline (Proverbs 15:5)

42. having no desire to get wisdom (Proverbs 17:16)

43. finding no pleasure in understanding (Proverbs 18:2)

44. delighting in airing their own opinions (Proverbs 18:2)

45. having perverse lips (Proverbs 19:1)

46. scorning the wisdom of wise words if the wise speak to them (Proverbs23:9)

47. their proverbs being as useless as a lame man's legs hanging limp (Proverbs 26:7).

48. a dog that returns to its vomit when it repeats its folly (Proverbs 26:11)

49. their provocation which is heavier than stone and sand (Proverbs 27:3)

50. their great reluctance in removing their folly from themselves (Proverbs 27:22)

51. trusting in themselves (Proverbs 28:26)

52. raging and scoffing at the wise man with whom he goes to court (Proverbs 29:9)

53. playing the fool, exalting themselves or planning evil (Proverbs 30:32)

54. walking in the darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:14)

55. folding their hands and bringing ruin to themselves (Ecclesiastes 4:5)

56. their speech pours out many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3)

57. lacking sense and showing everyone how stupid they are (Ecclesiastes 10:13)

58. being consumed by their own lips (Ecclesiastes 10:12)

59. multiplying their own words (Ecclesiastes 10:14)

60. speaking folly (Isaiah 32:6)

61. their minds being busy with evil (Isaiah 32:6)

62. practicing ungodliness and spreading error concerning the Lord (Isaiah 32:6)

63. leaving the hungry empty and withholding water from the thirsty (Isaiah 32:6)

64. gaining riches by unjust gains (Jer 17:11)

Dang, that's a rather lengthy and unpleasant list.

Whoa! That natural guy has problems.

Man's depravity vs God's Grace

I have not swamped the OP with a lot of Scripture quotations,
but hopefully you will recall the NT verses which confirm the following …

Man is doubly incapable of believing in Jesus and the Gospel
1 – Because of the disobedience (sin) of Adam and Eve,
all humans are born with an inherited sin nature,
and are bent on sinning instead of following God (Romans 3:9-18).
Having a saving faith is against their very nature!
2 - All unsaved humans are captive prisoners of Satan,
and are bent on doing whatever he wants them to do (2 Timothy 2:26).
Jesus came to set the captives of Satan free (Luke 4:18).
Having a saving faith is against our enemy’s plans for them,
which, of course, is spending eternity with Satan and his demons in hell.
If the God-worshipping Lydia (Acts 16:14) needs God to give her the necessary
faith to believe in Jesus and the Gospel, surely everyone does also!
Similarly, the “anyones” who believe in Jesus in verses such as John 3:16
are the ones whom God has given saving faith!

Father God elects (chooses) and calls whomever He wishes
Jesus says to the elect, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you ….” (John 16:15).
Surely, here is a strong hint that we should investigate this matter further.
Romans chapter 9 is the most famous proponent of God’s election …
“… that the purpose of election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.
… So then, it is not of him who wills (to be elected, chosen, and called),
nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:11-16)
God gives grace to whomever He chooses, but no one deserves grace (unmerited favor)!
God gives justice to whomever He chooses, and everyone deserves justice!
God wishes that all could be saved, but it is not possible because He insists on His justice.
“You love justice and hate evil.” (Hebrews 1”9)
God is not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (of us) should repent …
… the “us” referring to His elect, who are promised salvation.
Christians are called to confess and repent of their on-going sins,
and the blood of Jesus will cleanse them of all their unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).

The reason why Father God chooses some, but not others
Father God chooses to elect some people for His great pleasure.
He chooses to elect some to demonstrate to the whole world
His great love, mercy, grace, etc. (Romans 9:23).
He chooses to elect some to be companions for His Son throughout eternity (Scriptural?).
Those not chosen are given justice, which sadly is what they deserve.

Those whom Father God gives to Jesus are guaranteed salvation
This is all about the unconditional security of the born-again believer.
Multitudes of NT verses are God’s promises of salvation given to His elect.
Surely, those of us who are born again should be continually praising God and
thanking Him for choosing us … and for the Holy Spirit sanctifying us unto holiness
… and for Jesus interceding for us before Father God in heaven.

And I'd bet every Calvinist believes they have been chosen by God, and their kids, spouse, etc...

they pray while prayer can make a difference

What difference can prayer make if God has already determined all things that will come to pass?

I have not swamped the OP with a lot of Scripture quotations,
but hopefully you will recall the NT verses which confirm the following …

Man is doubly incapable of believing in Jesus and the Gospel
1 – Because of the disobedience (sin) of Adam and Eve,
all humans are born with an inherited sin nature,
and are bent on sinning instead of following God (Romans 3:9-18).
Having a saving faith is against their very nature!
2 - All unsaved humans are captive prisoners of Satan,
and are bent on doing whatever he wants them to do (2 Timothy 2:26).
Jesus came to set the captives of Satan free (Luke 4:18).
Having a saving faith is against our enemy’s plans for them,
which, of course, is spending eternity with Satan and his demons in hell.
If the God-worshipping Lydia (Acts 16:14) needs God to give her the necessary
faith to believe in Jesus and the Gospel, surely everyone does also!
Similarly, the “anyones” who believe in Jesus in verses such as John 3:16
are the ones whom God has given saving faith!

Father God elects (chooses) and calls whomever He wishes
Jesus says to the elect, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you ….” (John 16:15).
Surely, here is a strong hint that we should investigate this matter further.
Romans chapter 9 is the most famous proponent of God’s election …
“… that the purpose of election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.
… So then, it is not of him who wills (to be elected, chosen, and called),
nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:11-16)
God gives grace to whomever He chooses, but no one deserves grace (unmerited favor)!
God gives justice to whomever He chooses, and everyone deserves justice!
God wishes that all could be saved, but it is not possible because He insists on His justice.
“You love justice and hate evil.” (Hebrews 1”9)
God is not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (of us) should repent …
… the “us” referring to His elect, who are promised salvation.
Christians are called to confess and repent of their on-going sins,
and the blood of Jesus will cleanse them of all their unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).

The reason why Father God chooses some, but not others
Father God chooses to elect some people for His great pleasure.
He chooses to elect some to demonstrate to the whole world
His great love, mercy, grace, etc. (Romans 9:23).
He chooses to elect some to be companions for His Son throughout eternity (Scriptural?).
Those not chosen are given justice, which sadly is what they deserve.

Those whom Father God gives to Jesus are guaranteed salvation
This is all about the unconditional security of the born-again believer.
Multitudes of NT verses are God’s promises of salvation given to His elect.
Surely, those of us who are born again should be continually praising God and
thanking Him for choosing us … and for the Holy Spirit sanctifying us unto holiness
… and for Jesus interceding for us before Father God in heaven.

God can ordain prayer? As a means to bring His will to pass?

And I'd bet every Calvinist believes they have been chosen by God, and their kids, spouse, etc...

God does indeed ordain prayer, but it's up to man's free will to choose to pray. Can man's prayer cause God to do something, that in the normal process of human history, would not have happened, but because man prayed, God caused something to happen?

God can ordain prayer? As a means to bring His will to pass?

And I'd bet every Calvinist believes they have been chosen by God, and their kids, spouse, etc...

And God is sovereign, so His will always comes to pass.

OK, how about commenting on the election Scriptures?