If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

The “key” to prayer, as it were, was never about the asking. It was about the relationship. Take away that element, and prayer is nothing but words.

All fathers love to bless their kids good things. No father that I know of likes to hear their kids ask for something and then run away without even acknowledging the father exists. He wants to know that his children love him and want to be around him.

Father God desires for us to approach Him like that. Come with our concerns, gripes, complaints, wishes, desires, frustrations, worries, cares, and requests. Bring them all.

Then as you read the Scriptures, you glean some of that wisdom and understanding. You begin to know how He thinks about a matter. You begin to understand what kinds of requests are appropriate and which are totally out of whack. Sure, you can bring them to Him, but you probably already know how He’ll answer it.