ON THE SUBJECT OF PRAYING EFFECTIVELY … I have kinda learned to go into a “verbal translation mode” in my own mind when I hear self-defeating prayer; so, while everybody else is wailing “OH, God, if it be your will, PLEEEASE Create in me a clean heart” I’m saying “Thank you God that you have already created in me a clean heart (through Jesus)!” BUT THEN IT HIT ME: What about all the other people who are visibly waiting, waiting, waiting, for God to show up? Jesus’ great gift to humankind occurred at the cross. The method of praying before this earth-shaking event occurred totally pales in the Light of Jesus’ FINISHED work.