Whole denominations have totally deserted the true doctrine of prayer. Their teachings are best summed up by the following quote.
If you are praying for a Mercedes, but only have bicycle faith, guess what you are going to get?
A holy rage rises in me when I hear such blasphemy. Not only is that teaching an insult to God, but it is a insult to every suffering believer.
The wisdom of God ordained that John Wycliffe, and John Hus ignite the gospel explosion of the Reformation. Both believed that the common people should have the scriptures in their common language, and that a person could appeal directly to God instead of through the corrupt church structure of the time.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [1 Tim 2:5]
For this John Hus was chained to a stake, surrounded by sticks piled up to his neck, and set on fire. [Fox's Book of Martyrs] I have no tolerance for those who teach God's faithful servants did not believe Him hard enough to be delivered from their enemies, or afflictions. Lets look at how God answered one of Paul's prayers.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is suf- ficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. [2 Cor 12:8-9]
Our old nature, or flesh is incapable of praying rightly.
For that which I do, I approve not. For what I would do, that do I not; but what I hate, that I do. [KJ21 Romans 7:15]
It is the new nature, or Spirit of God living within us that knows how to pray rightly. We must always be mindful of this truth. The Spirit of God living in us burdens us as to what to pray for. The burdens of our heart, are things God is actively accomplishing.
Prayer, as we shall see, really does not originate in us or in our so-called free will. Effectual prayer is the ordained means that God uses to accomplish His ordained purposes. The true motivation for prayer comes from the Holy Spirit of God. [The Sovereignty of God and Prayer, John G. Reisinger, New Covenant Focus]
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. [1 John 5:14-15]
It should be clear from the above scripture that our asking is to be "according to His will". Believing in faith is unreserved trust that what God says is true. The prophets in the Old Testament did not dream their dreams and then step out in faith for God to work mighty acts. When Elijah held his contest on Mount Carmel to determine the true God, was he simply trying to prove wrong the false prophets of Baal? No!
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. [1 Kings 18:36]
God told Elijah what to do. Elijah had faith in what God said, and then prayed to God to do it. And that is the exact principle God would have us apply in the new covenant.
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. [Matt 17:20]
Matthew 17:20 has nothing to do with God delivering cargo to satisfy ones fleshly desires, but everything to do with trust in accordance with His will.
If I were assured that every petition I took to God would be granted, I would not pray. I would be fearful that something I asked for might cause me, or the kingdom of God great harm. [Paraphrase of a Martin Luther quote I can not find the reference for.]