Most people make the mistake of considering the answering of a prayer as identical with the petition. If a man prays for a thing, and does not receive it, they say that his prayer was not answered.
The Apostle Paul prayed three times for a certain thing, and did not receive it; but he did not charge God with neglecting his petition. On the contrary, he tells us that he received the answer, "My grace is sufficient for you." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
When the child makes a request of its mother, and the mother kindly but firmly says "No" the child has no reason to say that the prayer has not been answered.
The trouble is that people are usually so unconsciously bent on having their own way that they do not recognize the right of the Lord to say "No," even though He adds, "My grace is sufficient for you."--Present Truth, July 5, 1894.