We do not pray to tell God what he does not know, nor to remind him of things he has forgotten. He already cares for the things we pray about... He has simply been waiting for us to care about them with him.

Indeed, how could we experience grace at all except through our defects?

God already knows who we are; we are the ones who must find a way to come to terms with our true selves.

No, the prayer is essential. I live on the prayers. They alone can strengthen me to fight despair and fatigue.

Whenever I fixate on techniques, or sink into guilt over my inadequate prayers, or turn away in disappointment when a prayer goes unanswered, I remind myself that prayer means keeping company with God who is already present.