Mighty Prayer

I have been thinking for some time now about how I could pray better, specifically how I could feel the Spirit more and know better how to really communicate in prayer.  In studying Alma 8 today, I found this related quote by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (1917-2008), of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ, that has helped answer my question,

"“May I ask you today to consider the effectiveness of

your prayers? How close do you feel to your Heavenly

Father? Do you feel that your prayers are answered? Do

you feel that the time you spend in prayer enriches and

uplifts your soul? Is there room for improvement?

“There are many reasons our prayers lack power.

Sometimes they become routine. Our prayers become

hollow when we say similar words in similar ways

over and over so often that the words become more

of a recitation than a communication. This is what the

Savior described as ‘vain repetitions’ (Matthew 6:7).

Such prayers, He said, will not be heard. . . .

“Do your prayers at times sound and feel the same?

Have you ever said a prayer mechanically, the words

pouring forth as though cut from a machine? Do you

sometimes bore yourself as you pray?

“Prayers that do not demand much of your thought

will hardly merit much attention from our Heavenly

Father. When you find yourself getting into a routine

with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a

while on the things for which you really are grateful”

(“Improving Our Prayers,” in Brigham Young University

2002–2003 Speeches [2003], 160)."

I have highlighted the last two sentences in yellow because I especially want to remember Elder Wirthlin's advice on the importance of meditating on the things we are really grateful for.