A number of chassidim of the Imrei Emes once approached him with a complaint. “We've been told that your father, the Sfas Emes, once promised that when we recite the verse in Hallel ‘Ana Hashem,’ all of their prayers will be answered. But Rebbe, we've focused on these words in Hallel and yet we find that our prayers have not been answered. How can this be if your father promised this?”
The Imrei Emes, after thinking, replied, “My father was not referring to reciting that verse. He rather was referring to a different pasuk which contains the words, ‘Ana Hashem ki ani avdecha’ – Answer me, Hashem, because I am Your servant.”
It is very easy to simply ask Hashem for things and request that He help us. But to ask Hashem to answer us because we are His servants, and we want to receive blessing in life because we want to serve him to our utmost, such a blessing is sure to be answered. (Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum)