Question: Why does the Bible say, “ask and you shall receive” and it does not always happen?

Wow, this is a real honest question, you can feel the pain and confusion that is attached to a question like this.
I would like to give two answers to this important question.

Matthew 7:7-8

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

First, we do have to read this verse and the bible in general in the context in which it is written. When God says to ask and pray, He also says in the chapter prior not to pray as the heathen do. Do not pray for your personal needs, he knows what they are. Rather, pray for the will of God to be done and it will be done. But I also have a second answer. God does love you and he does care about you. He wants to bless you and give you an abundant life. There is a scripture below that says God will give you more than you ask or imagine. So don’t stop asking. Keep asking God for the desires of your heart. Although he may not always answer you exactly as you would like him to, he does have a great desire to give you your heart’s desire and bless you more than you would even ask him to.

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.