The Gemora states: There were certain boors in Rabbi Meir's neighborhood, who were causing him much anguish. Rabbi Meir was praying for them to die. Beruria, Rabbi Meir's wife said to him, "It is not written: Let the sinners cease from the earth; rather it is written: Let the sins cease from the earth (it should be the end of the Evil Inclination, who causes one to sin)." Rabbi Meir listened to his wife and prayed for mercy that they should repent, and they did.

The Maharsha asks on this from a Gemora below (33b) which states that "All is in the hands of Heaven except for fear of Hashem." This would seemingly be saying that Hashem is not involved in a person's choice whether he will sin or not! How could Rabbi Meir have prayed for these people to repent?

Maharsha says that it is understandable how a person can pray for himself, because of the dictum: One who wishes to purify himself, Hashem will assist him. It is evident that one who is praying to repent desires to repent, and Hashem will help him along. However, this would not apply when one is praying for another.

To be continued....