Be assured that the greatest obstacle to true wisdom is the self-confidence inspired by that which is false.  The first step toward this precious knowledge is earnestly to desire it, to feel the want of it, and to be convinced that they who seek it must address themselves to the Father of lights, who freely gives to him who asks in faith.  But if it be true that God alone can enlighten us, it is not the less true that He will do this simply in answer to our prayers.  Are we not happy, indeed, in being able to obtain so great a blessing by only asking for it?  No part of the effort that we make to acquire the transient enjoyments of this life is necessary to obtain these heavenly blessings.  What will we not do, what are we not willing to suffer, to possess dangerous and contemptible things, and often without any success?  It is not thus with heavenly things.  God is always ready to grant them to those who make the request in sincerity and truth.  The Christian life is a long and continual tendency of our hearts toward that eternal goodness which we desire on earth.  All our happiness consists in thirsting for it.  Now this thirst is prayer.  Ever desire to approach your Creator and you will never cease to pray.

Do not think that it is necessary to pronounce many words.  To pray is to say, Let Thy will be done.  It is to form a good purpose; to raise your heart to God; to lament your weakness; to sigh at the recollection of your frequent disobedience.  This prayer demands neither method, nor science, nor reasoning; it is not essential to quit one’s employment; it is a simple movement of the heart toward its Creator, and a desire that whatever you are doing you may do it to His glory.  The best of all prayers is to act with a pure intention, and with a continual reference to the will of God.  It depends much upon ourselves whether our prayers be efficacious.  It is not by a miracle, but by a movement of the heart that we are benefited; by a submissive spirit.  Let us believe, let us trust, let us hope, and God never will reject our prayer.  Yet how many Christians do we see strangers to the privilege, aliens from God, who seldom think of Him, who never open their hearts to Him; who seek elsewhere the counsels of a false wisdom, and vain and dangerous consolations, who can not resolve to seek, in humble, fervent prayer to God, a remedy for their griefs and a true knowledge of their defects, the necessary power to conquer their vicious and perverse inclinations, and the consolations and assistance they require, that they may not be discouraged in a virtuous life.

But some will say, “I have no interest in prayer; it wearies me; my imagination is excited by sensible and more agreeable objects, and wanders in spite of me.”