God has given us human relationships to help us understand our ultimate relationship, our relationship with Him. A living breathing relationship has always been His desire for us which started in the Garden of Eden and continues on with us in this present day. Consider marriage, during those first couple of years, each spouse brings in their selfish pasts and usually petitions the other as to what they want. Neither side completely gives in to the other. Consider the one sided relationship our children have with us: when young they petition for food, then toys when a little older. As they age they petition for larger things, then their "freedom", the car keys, etc. Many parents complain that their older children pretty much ignore them except when they need something. When they don't get what they ask for they storm away angrily. This is such a reflection of our relationship with God and reveals how we often stay in a continual state of immaturity rather than becoming more mature in our faith. How many of us largely ignore God most days and for most of a given day except when we feel that we need something. We may muster up a word or two of praise, but soon follow up with our list of requests. They might be for good things: health, healing, jobs, for others, etc. But they are a list of petitions none the less. As parents we often say no to our children when we know that their requests do not match what we know is best for them. Why would we believe that God, who is all-knowing, would act any differently in response to our requests. Yet, how many become angry and disillusioned with God when their petitions which are really demands go unanswered.

Paul who was blessed with incredible wisdom and the gift of teaching writes something amazing in Romans 11:33-36, "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?" "Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?" For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Prayer is coming to God not to get our will done in heaven, but to get heaven's will done on earth. We read in Isaiah 55:8-9, ""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." We have our God who knows what we need better than we do and who loves us more than we love ourselves. Why do we insist on constantly telling Him what we think we know and think we need, as though He either doesn't know or understand.
The purpose of prayer is to align our will with His will. When our prayers remain unanswered, it is not because He doesn't care or hear us. Just like we as parents want to see our children grow in maturity, so does our Heavenly Father want to see us move from immaturity to maturity. They say when two people get married it is like two rough stones that rub against one another smoothing each other out in the process. As Christians we are little rocks rubbing against the One True Rock, Jesus Christ. Jesus was the Rock that Moses struck in the desert in Numbers 20:7-11. Jesus was the Rock described prophetically in the dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45. Jesus is whom Paul described in Romans 9:33, "As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." In Ephesians 2:19-22, Jesus is described as the "chief cornerstone". Our purpose in life is to take our imperfect stones, rough as they are, and rub them against the only True, Perfect, Stone, Jesus Christ. If we are to mature in our relationship with Him, we must take on a stance of submission in our prayer-life to One who knows much better what we need. His answers are the right answers and we will grow when we stop questioning His decisions but instead seek His guidance through them.