It is always good to be reminded of the basics! The following is a summary of Nicky Gumbel's teaching on prayer in the Alpha Course. He recommends "God on Mute" by Pete Greig for times when answers don't seem to come. It's a great read and very helpful.  

1. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN PRAYER? It is the most important activity of our lives

• It is to the Father

• Through the Son

• By the Spirit

2. WHY PRAY? It develops our relationship with God and will be rewarded

• What is needed will be given to those who ask

• What is searched for will be found by those who seek

• The door will be opened to those who knock

3. DOES GOD ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYER?

• Yes: you receive what you pray for, sometimes immediately

• No: because only God can see the big picture and what is best for you

• Wait: because the timing might not be right

4. HOW DO WE PRAY?

• We say thank you and count our blessings, not our problems

• We say sorry and confess our sins

• We say please and ask for everything we need

5. WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY? Anywhere, anytime, and in all circumstances

• Alone, at a set time and in a set place, best suited to us

• With others: one, two or three

• With fellow church members and larger groups

6. WHAT TIPS MIGHT HELP?

• Keep it real

• Keep it simple

• Keep it going

7. WHAT ABOUT FORGIVENESS? "Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us … If you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive you" (Mt 6:12-15).

Leon Morris writes: "Is Jesus saying our salvation is dependent on our forgiving others? Yes and no. If I say 'I'll never forgive that person' it proves I am not sorrowfully aware of my own sins and need of forgiveness; only bitterly and vengefully aware of another's sinfulness. True believers, open to receive love, will of necessity be open to bestow love, no matter how underserving the recipient. It is not that the act of forgiveness merits an eternal reward, but rather it is evidence that the grace of God is at work in the forgiving person. Jesus is saying that to fail to forgive others is to demonstrate that one has not felt the saving touch of God."