Prayer is often answered not by God giving us what we desire, but by bringing our desires into line with His will.  We may pray to have our burden lightened, and in response He gives us strength to bear it.  We may pray to escape conflict, but He will give us the energy and intelligence to win over it.  The blessings which we see as necessary are often not in our own best interest.  

It would appear, that for God, victory in conflict is better than freedom from it, and strength to endure is of more value than relief from the burden.  Perhaps God’s great lesson is this: To know peace at the center of a storm is of greater blessing than being lifted above it. 

“…nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt”  Matthew 26:39