In Mark chapter 10, Jesus is asked twice for a blessing. In each case he responds, "What do you want me to do for you?" The first instance was two of his apostles (vv 35-40) and the second was a blind man named Bartimaeus (vv 46-52).
His responses may surprise you a bit as he says no to his apostles and yes to the stranger. While we tend to think that God is predisposed to listen to certain people and not to others, the reality is that what is asked is more important than who is asking.
In this passage, the disciples asked for positions of prominence, a request based on and one that would promote their pride. The what being asked here overrode the who as it was not godly and it would not be God-like for the Lord to grant it.
Bartimaeus asked only that his most pressing need be met, he asked for his sight. What he wanted of Jesus was something that Jesus would happily provide, the blessing of sight. His request was based on need not greed, and so it was granted.
James is quite clear on this point in saying, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (Js 4:3).
While there are other factors in what we might call unanswered prayer, which may be actually answered "no," such as timing or personal sin, the factor at hand is that of self interest. Is what you are asking in the best interest of all, in line with God's interests, or just something based on your own selfish interest. Which, by the way, may not truly be in your best self-interest.
Before asking of the Father, we ought to ask, is want I am about to ask something that honors God and blesses others, including myself, or is it something I want in a selfish way, which would not bless others and not truly myself.
God is not in the business of saying no, but he is the business of doing right. He will not give you what you ask if it is not truly good for you or in-line with his purposes. Jus' Sayn.
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