PRAY IN OBEDIENCE
1John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
As noted previously concerning Isaiah 59:1-2, God listening to us is much a function of coming to Him on His terms - namely forsaking sin, the converse of which is keeping his commandments and doing things that are pleasing in his sight. But let us not have the viewpoint that we do what he wants in order to get what we want. Rather the idea is that the content of our requests should be in relation to doing what he wants.
Thus in the midst of carrying out his commands and living a lifestyle pleasing to him, you'll find it necessary to make requests of God in order to accomplish those objectives. What John has uncovered here is that God is faithful in answering such prayers.
Consider a command God has given you in the Bible, or consider what constitutes a life which pleases him, and make a specific request for something you find lacking but necessary to accomplish that goal.