EFFECTIVE PRAYER

All too often my sincere praying devolves into another session of disquietude sprinkled with moments of praise, quotes of Scripture, requests for forgiveness and a few obligatory promises to change something. While I sincerely want to stay focused, I easily slip into thinking, planning and speculating. This sort of prayer is ineffective. Effective prayer is bathed in trust, thankfulness and empowered by the Word of God and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Father of Boundless Greatness, guide my prayers and deliver me from the terror of my own imagined perils and fruitless attempts at self-planned deliverance.