The essence of a great prayer is not in the majesty of its phrases but in its honesty; like the one that says: Dear God, So far today I’ve done all right. I’ve kept my mouth shut, I’ve not gossiped and I’ve not lost my temper and yelled at anyone. I’ve not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I’m glad about all that, but in a few minutes, Lord, I have to get out of bed, and from then on I’m probably going to need a lot of help. Thank you in anticipation. Amen.
But while on the subject of prayer, it’s worth noting that Jesus said that the value of a prayer is in the sincerity with which it is offered, not in the number of words used; like that of the publican Jesus referred to whose prayer simply was: ‘Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.’ And he, said Jesus, who was the one who went home at peace with God.