In Mark 10 blind Bartimaeus asked Jesus for help. He shows us three essentials for effective prayer.

Pray persistently, verse 48, "many warned him to be quiet, but he cried out all the more"
Pray specifically, verse 51, "that I may receive my sight"
Pray confidently, verse 52, "Jesus said to him, 'Go your way, your faith has made you well.'"