Abu Ubaydah narrates from his father, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), that he said: "When any of you wishes to ask Allah for something, let him first praise and extol Allah as He deserves, then send blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and then ask after that, for this is more likely to have his supplication answered."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب العين / 8748