What does it take for God to answer our prayer?

Have you ever known someone who really trusts God? When I was an unbeliever, I had a good friend who prayed often. He would tell me every week about something he was trusting God to take care of. And every week I would see God do something unusual to answer his prayer. Do you know how difficult it is for an unbeliever to observe week after week? After a while, "coincidence" begins to sound like a very weak argument. So why would God answer my friend's prayers? The biggest reason is that he had a relationship with God. He wanted to follow God. And he actually listened to what He said. In his mind, God had the right to direct him in life, and he welcomed Him doing just that! When he prayed for things, it was a natural part of his relationship with God. He felt very comfortable coming to God with his needs, his concerns, and whatever issues were current in his life. Furthermore, he was convinced, from what he read in the Bible, that God wanted him to rely on Him like that. He pretty much exhibited what this statement from the Bible says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."1 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer..."