What are you expecting?
How do you expect that to work out?
I know "it's Biblical" but the idea of "answered prayer" and then questions about "why was my prayer not answered" concern me. To me it carries a sense of expecting Father God to give me "what I want, when I want it, where I want it, how I want it". Jesus promised "whatever you ask ..." (John 15:16) but that is in the context of "abiding in the vine", "Jesus living in me", "loving Jesus", "obeying Jesus. In summary "knowing Jesus" (compare Matthew 25:24, Matthew 7:23).
Interesting the phrase Jesus used at the end of Matthew 7:23 "You who practice lawlessness". Earlier He had spoken of "... hungering and thirsting for righteousness ... (Matthew 5:6)", "... unless your righteousness surpasses that of ... (Matthew 5:20)", " ... seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness ... (Matthew 6:33)". So what is this righteousness Jesus speaking of?
The Pharisees and teachers of the law 'did' righteousness to be seen by men (Matthew 6:1).
The "seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness" of Jesus is not "a state of doing" but "a state of being" - knowing Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world (state of being) ... let your light shine (not a state of doing but fruit as in John 15) ... others will take notice and glorify your Father in Heaven."
How does that fit in with answered prayer?
In John 2:3 we have Jesus's mother praying - His answer "leave me alone" (in summary).
He also mentioned "My hour has not yet come".
Reminds me of the death of Lazarus in John 11 - Jesus's response to prayer for help ... he stayed where He was (did nothing? cf. John 5:19).
I wonder how much time elapsed between John 2:4 and John 2:7? Had things escalated and got to the brink of public humiliation / embarrassment?
Did Mary, whispering to the servants in John 2:5, have more faith than Martha in John 11:39?
When the time came the servants had been primed and did what Jesus told them to do - wondering why / what's this all about / let's humour him / can't get any worse?
Those who rolled away the stone in John 11:41 - who were they (disciples?), what were they thinking (let's humour him John 11:16).
Today, when I write this, the 'enemies of the cross' are rejoicing after the US Senate debacle of yesterday.
I would not have chosen where I was when the news broke, or anticipated my reaction (hunger & thirst for righteousness?).
Which leads me back to the original thought "What are you expecting? How do you expect that to work out?".
Praying for revival? Will the answer to that prayer offend you? Are you primed / ready (cf servants in John 2:5)?
If my people ... will humble themselves ... 2 Corinthians 7:14
I'm reminded of a quote on the sovereignty of God I mentioned a few months ago.
Our response to this ... should begin with the fear of the Lord, total humility, respect for His sovereignty, and a love for His eternal purposes and ways.
He is not subject to our own desires and plans, or our own prayers, declarations, and prophesies.
He is not intimidated by anyone, and is not in a desperate struggle with the enemy.
He is utterly capable of changing our minds and hearts through experience and circumstances.
He is able to look after his own reputation.
His kindness and severity are both triumphant. It is we who must change, not he.
The Kingdom functions under the government of God to the glory of God.
It is not under our control.
This world is completely at the mercy of God, which is precisely our hope and joy.
See Every Time They Were Gathered.