Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

Faith IS the substance
the evidence

If you don't have those things you ask for, it could be from a lack of real faith.

Please don't read into this. I believe that God will change our "want to" and what we ask for according to His will, if we are close to Him. He will allow us to ask for things we selfishly want. I also believe that some times He tells another to do something for us, that would accomplish our request, but the other person fails to do what God asks, thus resulting in a void for a time being for the person waiting.