The sacrifice
"Solomon went up to the bronze alter before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him: ask for whatever you want me to give you." (NIV) 2 Chronicles 1:6-7
Christian believes that prayer is the only means by which we communicate with our maker. We have also been admonished by the Holy Bible never to stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is also true that God listens to the prayer of the righteous (Proverbs 15:8, 1 Peter 3:12).
Prayer is a powerful tool of Christian but not all of us have experienced the power of prayer. So many times, we have asked but not received. Perhaps we might hold the opinion that it is because we have sinned or did not ask with the right motive but maybe, God requires sacrifice from us before providing an answer to our prayer.
Reading 2 Chronicles 1:6-7, I ask if God would have bothered to visit Solomon and then proceeded to ask Solomon for any request if Solomon had not offered that SACRIFICE earlier? Another example that readily comes to mind is the case of Hanna. In 1 Samuel 1, she made a vow to dedicate the son God will bless her with to Him and God actually granted her request. Would God have blessed her with Samuel if she had not made that sacrifice (vow)? Am sure more examples of these readily come to mind.
So the next time you keep asking God for something and you are not receiving even though you know you are being faithful as a Christian, you might want to consider sacrificing something precious to Him or making a vow-which you can honour- and I know our God might finally listen.
Prayer, backed with that sacrifice-worthy and acceptable- could be all you need for that request to be granted.