Let's begin with the confusion surrounding prayer. This happens when Christians do not rightly divide the Bible. We're told in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV):

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Many Christians claim promises made in the Gospels that are not directed at them. For example:

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20 KJV)

Here it sounds like all we need to do is find two other Christians that will agree with us on a matter to pray about and the Lord will answer that prayer. However, these verses were directed at the Apostles when Jesus was ministering to the Jews.

The Gospels report primarily on a time when the Earthly Ministry of Jesus was directed at the Jews. This doesn't mean that all of his statements were directed ONLY to the Jews, but many were directed at the Nation of Israel and/or his disciples. We know this because of statements he made. This is why we must rightly divide the Word. For example:

"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 10:1-7 KJV)

Here we find that Jesus reveals that his Apostles were supposed to bring the good news to the Jews first. However, an example of a statement made by Jesus in the gospels and a truth that applies to everyone then and now is found in the Gospel of John:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 KJV)

If we go back to Matthew 18, we find a promise:

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19-20 KJV)

I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have seen people gather together for prayer in such a way only to have their requests unanswered. Why? There are three reasons. First, the promise made in Matthew 18 is not directed at Christians. It's directed at the Apostles during the Earthly Ministry of Jesus. Second, the matter in question was not necessarily about prayer. Let's look at the verses preceding that promise, the promise and the verses after that promise:

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:15-22 KJV)

The matters under discussion here were questions asked of Jesus by the Apostles based on Jewish law, and the authority that Jesus gave them on earth. The specific subject of prayer is nowhere to be found in these verses. More importantly, the promise was directed at the Apostles based on the fact that they would say and do what exactly what God wanted them to. For example, Jesus said:

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11 KJV)

Would Jesus want the Apostles to get together and agree that a certain person or group of people should go to Hell? And if they did, would God honor their decision? Of course not! The promise given to them was based on the fact that they would use the power, authority and Spirit that Jesus would provide to them to do the Will of God. Let's see what happened when Paul and Silas prayed after being falsely accused and imprisoned:

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:25-26 KJV)

Their prayers were answered, and they were answered for a specific reason. God used that instance as an example of His Power to all present. In fact, as a result of what happened, the man who was charged to keep them in jail believed on Jesus. His family also believed.

The third reason that people do not get their prayers answered is that they do not follow the Scriptural method for praying directed at Christians. Let's look at an example from the Word of God:

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6 KJV)

We are to pray and ask for all the things we need and, at the same time, give thanks to God for the things we have. God will answer according to His Will. We're told to ask for ALL the things we believe we need because only God knows exactly what we really need. This is made clear in the following verse:

"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:24-28 KJV)

The Bible makes it clear that we trust God for our Salvation based on the promises in His Word. It's all about FAITH. We are supposed to have the same faith that God will meet our needs as long as we obey him and seek him in prayer. God sorts out what we need from what will not benefit us and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in those matters. We must have the FAITH to believe that God will meet our needs. What is FAITH? The Bible provides a simple and amazing answer:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

And how important is faith?

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

The Bible also teaches that Christians should pray for each other:

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:" (2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV)

Are you praying on a regular basis? Are you obeying God? Do you have FAITH that God can and will meet your needs? Are you praying for others and asking them to pray for you? If so, there is promise directed at Christians that you CAN claim:

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 KJV)

That promise is directed at Christians. If you have never admitted that you're a sinner and asked Jesus to come into your heart, he cannot hear your prayers for other things. Jesus tells us what needs to be done back in the Gospel of John:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 KJV)

We have to start a new life in Christ before God can answer our prayers. Otherwise, we have the old sin nature that we were physically born with. A nature that spiritually separates us from God and makes us his enemy:

"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Colossians 1:21 KJV)

The Bible makes it clear that if we believe on Jesus and accept the gift of his death on the cross for our sins, we will receive Salvation:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)

Just tell God you are a sinner, accept the gift of Christ's death on the cross as payment for your sins and you will be come a Christian. You WILL be born again. Then, you can unleash the amazing power of prayer in your life and God will hear your prayers.