"'People who pray for enlightenment, for guidance, for patience, for forgiveness, even from others, often receive it.'

Yes, but the question is, where from? They will assume from God, whereas I would be inclined to think that the mental discipline of praying has focussed their mind and they have done it themselves."

Absolutely right. What we should be talking about is whether God answers prayers for people who badly need enlightenment, guidance, patience and forgiveness, but who don't ask for it themselves but who, unconsciously, rely on others to ask on their behalf. Y'know, third-party stuff. I doubt that the results would be very impressive.