God invites you to ask
Jesus spoke plainly about prayer. He encouraged his followers to ask, seek, and knock, comparing God with a good father who gives good gifts to his children. You don't need polished religious language to come to God. Bring the need, the hope, the fear, and the confusion to him (Matthew 7:7-11).
That invitation does not promise that every desire will be granted exactly as requested. It does mean God is not distant or unwilling to listen. Prayer starts with the confidence that you are welcomed.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Answers can look different
Sometimes an answer is a clear yes. Sometimes it comes slowly, takes a different form, or is a no. John says God hears requests made in line with his will. That can be difficult when you are waiting, but it means God sees the whole picture and is not limited by what you can see today (1 John 5:14-15).
Paul experienced this personally. He repeatedly asked God to remove a painful weakness, yet it remained. God answered by assuring Paul that his grace would be enough and that his strength could be seen in Paul's weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). It was not the answer Paul wanted, but neither was it neglect.
Bring God your honest prayers
You do not have to act as if everything is fine. Psalm 13 begins with David asking how long God will seem far away, and he speaks openly about his sorrow (Psalm 13:1-2). Later in the same prayer, David says he has trusted God's faithful love and will rejoice in God's salvation (Psalm 13:5). Honest sorrow and real trust can sit together.
Jesus prayed honestly in Gethsemane while facing the cross. He named what he wanted, yet entrusted himself to his Father's will (Luke 22:42). That gives a simple pattern for prayer: ask boldly, tell the truth, and leave room for God's wisdom.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Keep coming to God
A prayer that appears unanswered is not proof that God has ignored you, or that you have somehow failed. Scripture does warn against asking from selfish motives, so prayer can reshape what we want as well as what we receive (James 4:3). But grief, doubt, and long waiting do not disqualify you from praying.
Keep it simple. Read a psalm, tell God what you need today, and ask for wisdom and strength for the next step. Watch for the ways help may come through peace, endurance, wise guidance, other people, or changed circumstances. Some answers unfold slowly, but you can keep bringing your life to God.