I don't like that saying because it's wrong.
The Bible doesn't say anything like that. According to the Bible, if you pray correctly you will receive what you ask for—every single time. God's answer to scriptural prayer is always "yes."
No doubt, that statement would upset some people. "Well, I don't think you can just expect God to do what you want Him to do every time," they might say. "After all, He is a sovereign God and He does what He chooses."
Yes, He is a sovereign God. He does do what He chooses. And He has chosen to give us whatever we ask in Jesus' name. Jesus Himself said if those who believe Him would "ask anything" in His name, He would do it (John 14:14). He said, "...whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:13).
Answered prayer isn't man's idea. It's God's idea.
Thus, when prayers aren't answered, it's not God's fault—it's ours. James 4:3 says, "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss…." When we don't receive what we pray for, either our motives or our methods are wrong. God's desire is for us to keep changing and keep learning until we grow to the place where we get everything we ask Him for.
How do I know that's possible?
Because Jesus got everything He asked for. And the Bible says we're destined to be just like Him (see Rom. 8:29).
When Jesus prayed over the loaves and fishes, God answered and multiplied them to feed the thousands. When Jesus prayed for Lazarus to be raised from the dead, that's exactly what happened. When Jesus said to His disciples that He would pray to the Father to send the Holy Ghost, God poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost with the sound of a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire.
Actually, every miracle in Jesus' life was born out of the time He spent in effectual prayer. The same will be true for us. When we learn to pray as He prayed, we'll do the works that He did—and even greater works (John 14:12).
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