(read God, Supreme Power, Light) for something, we are put in situations that demand this of us...
If I ask to have beauty of spirit, or tolerance, or patience, or strength to bear something, you will see that you are put in situations that demand these of you - ugly situations, difficult people......the exact opposite of what it is that you have prayed for......it is in the dealing with these with the help of God/Supreme Power/Light, that we acquire this in us, and it becomes a part of us.
Life doesn't ever just hand us what we've asked for.......when we earn it with our tears and struggles, it becomes us...