Q3a: In Genesis 32, before Jacob became Israel (he struggle with God) when he wrestled with God over night, he prayer fervantly for his favor by trusting him for the blessings and the fullfilment of the promise but Jacob still resorted to his human nature in order to reconcile with his brother. Though the wreslting match ended with a draw, he still got the permanet scar of limb in his hip, nonetheless, God still blessed him whereby Israel abided by God's will by asking forgiveness from Esau. Jacob understood the trust in God by patiently waiting for the answer in his physical struggle and he finally came to realization that trusting God and be blessed by God is better than resorting to his way because there is a penalty to the struggle with God. God taught him a lesson, but I think the prayer he resorted before hand proved that he was right and God gave him the second chance. I think, God can do anything upon our sincere trust in God through our prayers. It really comes down to our faith in God for His deliverance. He is truly loving therefore, he will deliver our prayer's request.
Q3b: The belief is Foreknowledge. Though I am not a Calvinist, I believe that God can determine the outcome of the future but it is important that we can reflect the end result by deeding our walk of life to the scriptural teaching and our faith in our prayers. If we trust in God, the choices we make will be patterned through the scriptural teachings, leaving our nature as secondary as to the freeness of the free will. The reflection through the Bible can only gives us the answer to our transitions of life in the life of web of relationships between God and you, you and God and you and a fellowman. All will be good in the eyes of God through the prayers. There should be no theological argument as to if or when God delivers. He does.