Sometimes the Spirit of God may lead us to pray for a certain thing, with the fullest assurance that we shall get it; and He may lead us to wait on God for days or weeks or months or years, in exercise of soul, not getting the answer, but assured that we shall get it. It is not a question of repeating in so many words our desire, but the heart waiting on God for the answer. Then we have that lovely passage in Phil. 4 "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." And what then? You shall get what you asked? Perhaps not. It might not be good for you. But "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." So we can lay down no rule in this matter. There is great largeness and freedom in the way of the Spirit, and great breadth and fullness in Holy Scripture—so unlike our poor narrow thoughts.