I keep coming back to this concept that's all throughout Scripture that, if you really want God to respond to your prayers, you need to live in a way that honors Him. Not a difficult concept to grasp really...but it seems that so many of us get frustrated with God when He doesn't do what we ask, as if we're the ones in control and He's messing up.

The first question you should be asking before ever going to Him with your requests is, "Am I right with God? Am I coming to Him with these requests knowing that He's pleased with my heart and my actions?"

Peter hits on this hard in his letters. He even tells husbands to be considerate with their wives and treat them with respect SO THAT nothing will hinder their prayers. (1 Pet 3:7)

Psalm 34 says "He must turn from his evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

James tell us that "the prayer OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN is powerful and effective." (4:16)

Isaiah 58 basically says that we are people who SEEM eager to know God and what He wants us to do..."AS IF they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God." He says that if we really want Gods direction, we need to live right. We need to not make our requests about US. We need to "loose the chains of injustice...set the oppressed free...share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter." THEN, it says, if that's the way your living, THEN "you will call and the Lord will answer...you will cry for help and he will say, Here am I."

Look. It's simple. Living right with God brings power to your prayers. If you're not living right with God, your prayers are severely hindered.

If you are praying and praying for something and not receiving an answer:
1) Check your motives.
2) Check your life - both what your doing and NOT doing.