Why do we sometimes think our petition has not been heard? How is our prayer heard, how is it "efficacious"?

Sometimes "we do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rom.8:26). Are we asking God for "what is good for us"? Our Father knows what we need before we ask him, but he awaits our petition because the dignity of his children lies in their freedom.to be able truly to know what he wants. "If any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him." (Jn.9:31) and Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Sometimes we ask with a divided heart: "You ask and do not receive,because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (Jas. 4:3). God cannot answer us, for he desires of well-being, our life. Our God's "jealousy" for us is the sign of how true his love is. If we enter into the desire of his Spirit, we shall be heard.Proverbs 15:7:9 says: The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. At times we might think that prayer is a force by which we can try to bend the will of God by persuasion. However, the divine will is from all eternity as immovable as it is merciful. Do not be troubled, then, if you do not immediately receive from God what you ask him; for he desire to do something even greater for you, while you cling to him in prayer. If we do not obtain temporal goods, it is because they are not useful to our salvation; if our prayer is sincere,we obtain a more precious grace in place of them.

Pray with Faith

Filial trust is put to the test when we feel that our prayer is not heard.God wills that our desire should be exercised in prayer, that we may be able to receive what he wants to give us. When prayer is humble, trusting, and persevering, it obtains for us a more lively faith, a firmer hope and a more ardent charity.