Usually when I'm praying, I'm talking to God and don't expect an "immediate" response (unless I'm in serious trouble). It is only later that my "surroundings" will remind me of what I was saying in my prayers. . . someone will say something unexpected, directly relating to what I was saying in my prayers or something will happen (I can't tell you the number of times I've suddenly happened upon a book at the store or library that directly related to what I was just talking to God about :-) or my Heart will respond in a way related to the prayers (I'll be comforted where I was anxious before like Rhapsody and Rapunzel mention) and tell me there's a relationship between my praying and God's response.