Hard to Pray

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes I don’t know what to pray. Even though I know in my mind and even remember experiencing your greatness, it somehow doesn’t overflow into spontaneous praise. Ignite my passion for you that I may effuse with the truth of who you are. I struggle with gratitude. I take so many things for granted in my life. I know that every good and perfect thing is from you but I don’t notice the amazing things you shower on me. Help me cultivate a grateful heart. Bring to mind the myriad gifts and kindnesses I receive. Let me express my thankfulness to those around me and most of all to you. I hesitate to ask you for things I feel are trivial and mundane. I even hesitate to ask you for things that are significant because I fear the pain of prayers that feel unanswered. I am echoing the first sin, usurping your place to discern what is best for me. Give me the confidence to bring all my concerns and wants to you and trust you to be God. Refine my desires till I want what you want. Make me hate the sin that muddies my relationship with you. Supernaturally take my confession and use it to fill me with a zeal for rooting out anything in my life that doesn’t please you. I want all of this now. I recognize that you bring about sanctification over the span of a lifetime, but I am impatient. I ask that you use my impatience to motivate me forward. May it never discourage me into inaction.

In the name of the great high priest, Amen.