Is it true that if you recite certain names of Allah, certain ayahs or certain 'duas' a lot they can turn your condition into a better one?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

If you mean by your question that the remembrance of Allah changes the person's situation, then undoubtedly, whoever persists in supplication through the Beautiful Names and Attributes of Allah, reciting the Quran, and supplicating with the invocations narrated from the Prophet his condition will be changed. He will be free from carelessness, insinuations, and anxieties which are present with those who do not remember Allah, as a kind of punishment to them.

Allah Says (what means): {And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."} [Quran 20:124]

In fact, there is peace of mind and ease from all problems in supplicating Allah constantly and in reciting the Quran. Because whoever recites the Quran, supplicates Allah, and hopes for the Mercy of Allah, the angels descend on him and he becomes free from desperation. Allah Says (what means): {Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.} [Quran 13:28]

There are many benefits in supplicating Allah in this life and in the Hereafter. So, Satan always tries to keep everyone away from it. Allah Says (what means): {Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?} [Quran 5:91]

Turning people away from supplicating Allah is the highest purpose of Satan. When they become away from Allah, he easily dominates them, controls them, and drives them to disobedience of Allah.

Allah Says (what means): {Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers.} [Quran 58:19]

There are specific supplications which are recited at specific times, places, and states. If a Muslim keeps reciting them, surely it will bring benefits for him. Such supplications like the ones of the morning, the evening, at the time of entering one’s house, going out from it; while eating, sleeping, facing distress, and when any kind of blessing happens to someone … etc.

These supplications and remembrance of Allah help the Muslim, if Allah wills, to get all kinds of benefits provided that he says them with the intention of getting advantage from them provided that his life is in accordance with the Sharee’ah rulings; otherwise, he might not get anything from this Du'aa’ (supplication) while others get what they desire by saying the same supplication.

For more benefit on supplications at times of distress and grief, please refer to Fataawa 343300, 418060, 88282, 13277, 213715, and 377509.

Allah knows best.