Why does God not always answer prayers of petition?

I am going to answer this question as a Christian. The Christian God, in Jer 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you good hope and a future". Sometimes when we pray prayers of petition, we ask for things that are not good for us. God is loving and omniscient; he knows everything and so knows what is good for us- he doesn't answer every prayer.

You can liken it to an earthly father. Lots of fathers don't give their children everything they want, and that is not because the fathers don't love their kids. If the father is able to give but still decides not to, it might mean that he doesn't think it's good for you.

The same applies to God, he loves us and knows what's best for us so sometimes he doesn't give us what we think is best for us. Another way to think of it is this: God always answers prayer; sometimes the answer is 'no'.

God only hears the prayers of the saved(John 3:16) who have apoligized for their sins that they realize they have commited. His answer for them is always, "Wait, Yes, or No." BUT, God ALWAYS receives those who ask for salvation.