Writers 
Often we pray for large things. We pray for open doors, more opportunities, financial break-through, meaningful relationships, successful careers, divine reconnections, and seeing our dreams come true. We pray to God to lead us to new places and to provide us with new things. But one thing we often do not ask ourselves is, are we ready to receive what we ask God for?
Desiring the blessing is the easy part, but the preparation is the thing we forget.
You may be praying for a better job, but are you developing the skills required for that position? Maybe you are saying to God, "Give me more treasure," but have you learned to use what you already have? Are you wishing for success in your business but ready to accept the discipline, sacrifice, responsibility and hours that success might take?
God doesn't always answer our prayers as we pray them. Sometimes He is preparing us for what he wants to give us.
Why would you ask for a lot of food if you didn't break the land?Why would you ask for much food, but not plow the land? You may be able to obtain and maintain the harvest, but if not prepared, you cannot receive and sustain. Similarly, there are some prayers where the answer is more fully appreciated and responsibly managed when it is prepared.
David was anointed as king, but we don't know when. It took some time to prepare. He had gained bravery in the care of his father's sheep. He learned leadership from tough times. He sat on the throne before going through seasons that shaped him.
Your waiting season could also be a preparation season.
Be sure not to complain about the length of the answer while waiting. In order to become the person who carries what you have been prayerful about, use it.
If you are praying for leadership, develop character. If you want a successful career, study.If you desire to be happy, study. When you pray for a job, work on your skills! Emotional Maturity, Patience, Communication and Responsibility, if you're praying for marriage. If you're praying for financial security, you need to learn discipline and wise spending habits.
Prayer should be followed by action and preparation.
Faith is not sitting around and doing nothing. Nehemiah prayed but also he planned. Noah obeyed God even though he did not believe Him; yet he built the ark anyway! Those who were wise waited for the bridegroom, and they also prepared their lamps.
Maybe the door you've been waiting for is just around the corner. Maybe it's now time but maybe not, the problem is, will you be ready when it happens?
More than just "God, bless me. Pray, too, “God, prepare me.”
Request God to make you more man than you already are, wiser than you now are, patienter than you are, better than you are, and a better Cheff than you are.
Sometimes the biggest miracle is not just that you receive what you ask for...it's that you are the one who can carry it.
So in the meantime, get ready.
As you pray, work.
As you believe, so you grow.
But when the answer comes, if you can recognize it, then you might be ready for it too.
Are you ready for the answer you received from God?