I believe God answers prayer. The issue of prayer is covered throughout the Bible. God hears our prayers and for our benefit sometimes says “No.” Sometimes He answers with “Later.” Sometimes God answers with “Yes.” Know that God hears and answers. One of my favorite verses about prayer is 1 John 3:22, “We receive Him anything we ask BECAUSE we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.” God does His share of answering our prayer based on us doing our share. God gives answers when we obey His commands.
When our children were at home we sometimes made bargains with them. They were asked to do something with a promised surprise when they finished. They obeyed and we answered. The children also did some things just because they wanted to please us.
It seems as our personal family is like our spiritual family. We are children of God when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Because God is then our Father we obey His commands and want to please Him. As in our earthly family there are consequences for disobedience. So, when we pray we do so with a life and heart diligently obeying and pleasing God. I’m glad that God always keeps His side of any arrangement and that we can trust Him. I’m also glad that I can keep my part of the arrangement so that God can trust me.