9/14/2018:
I found this analogy interesting. First a little background. I am working on various patent submissions. My perspective is that of a medical doctor and how those in my profession think. In addition, we have rules about scientific investigation and validation of the results.
Now I enter the world of patent submission. It is virtually impossible to do this absent a patent lawyer in that the language and rules of submission make it impossible for an unskilled person to make such a submission.
I start with a foundation in fact that I believe should qualify for patentability. However, the criteria for being granted various patent claims are not the same as one in medicine would think. Therefore, I use a patent attorney. I tell him my argument and he says that he cannot present my argument as it does not fit the conditions of submission by the US patent office. In short, my submission must fit the patent law and the rules governing allowability by the examiner who is reviewing my petition.
Now to the revelation I received today. As a Christian we are taught to pray, even without ceasing. We are instructed to make our requests to be made known. We are told that if we have not it is because we have asked not. We are told that if any two of you here on earth agree on anything the Father will do it from Heaven. However, there is this one overriding cavet. The prayer petition must conform to the law of God, the general will of God and specifically the will of God for you as a Christian in your God given assignment or calling.
We are also instructed to make our petition in the Name of Jesus, who in effect is our advocate or attorney. The mechanics of this are like my patent application and are as follows. We come up with a prayer we think makes sense. We want the Father God to hear our prayer as the Word says he answers every prayer He hears. However, He may not hear every prayer we make and for good reason.
Well how could that happen if I just made the prayer in good faith. We made the prayer in the name of our attorney, Jesus. But here is the process. Jesus reviews the request and filters our request, reshapes it in a form according to the Government of God and in a form that the Father God is willing to hear the request. So, in this case, just like in patent application, it takes one knowledgeable with the law to present our prayer requests within the will of God and according to His statutes. If the prayer is so far from the laws of God or the will of God, your attorney Jesus will not be able to present your petition. He will come back to you with how you might make a conforming petition or prayer in accordance with the will of God.
When constructed in the proper form and within the will of God for you, then God hears the prayer and answers.