While it is true to say that Allah hears and answers prayers, it is not true that Allah answers each and every petition that we make exactly in the same way we wish them to happen. If this were to happen, then the world would be an utterly chaotic place to live; for humans may pray for all kinds of things, which may appear reasonable for them to ask for, when judged from their own purely subjective points of views, at a specific time or place. We can ourselves see the absurdity of this, when we reflect on our own past. For each one of us may have the experience of thinking and praying for something in the past; but we became distressed that it didn’t happen as we had prayed for. But now after years have elapsed, we feel, it was after all not good for us to be granted. For, now we have in our possession such facts that convince us the futility of our earlier wishes and dreams. So while Allah answers prayers, we cannot assume that all of our prayers would materialize as we have imagined or according to our own desires. Allah answers prayers, but He alone knows what is good for us, for He has all of the facts governing our lives—past, present and future, and thus He alone knows what is good for us in an ultimate sense. Therefore, while assuring us that our prayers are heard by Allah, the Prophet, peace be upon him, taught us the following: “No Muslim shall pray to Allah for anything—other than that entails sins or severing ties of kinship—without Allah granting him one of three things by virtue of his/her prayer: He may grant what they pray for (if it is good for them); or keep them as a treasure to gift them with in the next word, or by virtue of their prayer avert some calamities that are decreed to  happen to them!” On hearing this, the Prophet’s companions, remarked, “In that case we will pray more and more! Then the Prophet, peace be upon him, replied, “Allah’s generosity is even more boundless!” 

So prayers are always beneficial for us to engage in; and we should so unceasingly, regardless of whether a particular wish of ours has been granted or not, for Allah alone knows what is in our best interests, and He always does what is best for His servants. We are therefore best advised to seek peace by submitting to His will; we may do so by reading and meditating upon the following prayer of our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him:

Allaahumma ij’al lee nafsan mut’ma’innatan tu’minu bi liqaa’ika, wa taqna’u bi ‘ata’ika wa tarda bi qada’ika wa takhshaaka haqqa khashyatika

(O Allah, grant me a soul that firmly believes in meeting You, and is content with the provision you have apportioned me, and is satisfied with Your decree, and fears You as You ought to be feared.)