James 4:2b - Prayer Conditions.

James 4:2b (NIV) You do not have, because you do not ask God. 

No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she 
is praying. [A. E. McAdam; Streams in the Desert by Cowman] 

No matter how terrible the crisis or how complex life's problem, 
God has a solution waiting to be activated by prayer. [Prayer 
Warriors by Ron Halvorsen] 

So often we simply neglect to look for the answers to what we 
have asked, which shows the lack of earnestness in our petitions. A 
farmer is never content until he reaps a harvest; a marksman observes 
whether or not his bullet has hit the target; and a physician examines 
the effect of the medicine he prescribes. Should a Christian be any 
less careful regarding the effect of his labor in prayer? 
Every prayer of the Christian, whether for temporal or spiritual 
blessings, will be fully answered if it meets certain biblical 
requirements. It must be prayed in faith and in accordance with God's will. It 
must rely on God's promise, be offered up in the name of Jesus 
Christ, and be prayed under the influence of the Holy Spirit. 
God always answers the general intent of His people's prayers. 
He does so not only to reveal His own glory but also to provide for 
the Christian's spiritual and eternal welfare. Since we see in 
Scripture that Jesus Christ never rejected even a single petitioner who 
came to Him, we can believe that no prayer made in His name will be 
in vain. 
The answer to our prayer may be coming, although we may not 
discern its approach. A seed that is underground during winter, although 
hidden and seemingly dead and lost, is nevertheless taking root for a 
later spring and harvest. Bickersteth 
Delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith; they 
also give us opportunities to honor God through our steadfast 
confidence in Him even when facing the apparent denial of our request. 
Charles H. Sturgeon [Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman]