Do I Really Pray?

I often say my prayers,

But do I really pray?

And do the wishes of my heart

Go with the words I say?

I may as well kneel down

And worship gods of stone,

As offer to the living God

A prayer of words alone.

For words without the heart

The Lord will never hear;

Nor will He to those lips attend

Whose prayer is not sincere!

Lord, show me what I need

And teach me how to pray,

And help me when I seek Thy grace

To mean the words I say.

 ~ John Burton ~