I wish I knew more--much more--about how prayer "works."

Why are some prayers clearly answered in the way we pray and others are not? 

What do righteous people pray fervently for years and some of their prayers seem not to be answered at all? 

Why does Jesus give us simple formulas, such as "I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19). 

And why do these "simple" formulas seem not to be so simple after all? 

In the school of prayer we are all neophytes. 

Ah, a word we we don't often hear.  It comes from two Greek words:

neo = new 

and 

phutos = child.

Together, they mean "like a new child"

In that same Matthew chapter, Jesus said, "Unless you become as little children you will never enter the Kingdom of God" and whoever becomes "like one of these children becomes the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."

(Matthew 18:3-4). 

What are the positive characteristics then of little children that perhaps we bring to prayer and all of our life with Jesus Christ?

Humility.

Curiosity.

Hope

Dependence.

Innocence.

Trust. 

Creativity. 

Exploration.

Hunger to  learn.

Faith.

Love.

A child which is in a good relationship with their parents will have all of these qualities.   Sometimes that child will be impatient.  Many times they will not understand.  But in those times trust will need to present unless things go downhill really quickly. 

It's similar for all who pray.  Sometimes we will be tempted to impatience and lack of understanding.  

But we can always trust the One who taught us that "your Heavenly Father knows what you need before you ask."