"The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
The Bible - Book of Proverbs - Chapter 15 - Line 29

Lost
The wicked are lost, not saved, so naturally the Lord is far from them.
Saved
The Lord is never distant from the saved, but when they act like the lost …
* He will not hear their prayer
* He will not fellowship with them
* He waits for their true repentance

When the saved realize their sin, confess it and earnestly repent ...
* The Lord opens up
* He hears their petitions

He "heareth" (Prov 15.29) some and not others

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities (sin) have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
The Bible - Book of Isaiah - Chapter 59 - Line 1 and 2

The Lord maintains His ability to accomplish whatever He intends, from the position of strength. Sin cuts all lines of communication with God. He will not hear or even look on us. His strength is not diminished, He simply chooses to not associate with sin.

The saved are "heard"  by the Lord, if they are repentant of present sin.

The lost are not "heard"  by God. 
* They have unpaid sin.
* They have not been "forgiven" .
* The only "prayer" God hears from the lost is that for salvation.

He "heareth" (Prov 15.29) worshippers

John 9:31  "Now we know that God "heareth"  not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth."
The Bible - Book of the Gospel of John - Chapter 9 - Line 31

The saved are "heard"  by God, if they do His will, but they are forever saved.

First and primary in His will, after salvation
1. Stay "confessed"  up
2. "be a worshipper of God".

He "heareth" " (Prov 15.29) not the proud

"Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off."
The Bible - Book of Psalms - Chapter 138 - Line 6

The Lord does not "hear" the proud:

They refuse to examine themselves for sin (sin of pride) to "confess" and repent;  the proud often pridefully busy examining others.

He "heareth" (Prov 15.29) forgivers

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
The Bible - Book of the Gospel of Mark - Chapter 11 - Line 25

The primary concern, of a person wanting to be "heard" should be, "have I forgiven  everyone else?" 

If we will not "forgive" others: we have that as an "unconfessed sin"; and our prayers will not be "heard".

He "heareth" (Prov 15.29) the unselfish

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
The Bible - Book of James - Chapter 4 - Line 3

Asking of God for self, to consume on self will hinder "prayer".

This is to "ask amiss".  Ask God for self, but if you plan to use it for yourself and not for Him or others, your prayer may not be heeded.

He "heareth" (Prov 15.29) those that honor their "spouse".

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
The Bible - Book of 1st Peter - Chapter 3 - Line 7

To behave dishonorably towards your spouse is to act like those that are wicked and sinful.

To disrespect a spouse is to give a bad example of how we are to respect Christ, our Bridegroom.  Repentance is necessary so that "prayers be not hindered."

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