For Persevering Prayer

O Lord, when I compare my feeble attempts at prayer with the standards for effective prayer, I confess that I do not pray to you but simply play at prayer. Forgive me for taking the blessings that are wrought from prayer so lightly that I have not been willing to persevere as I should, but have so soon given up and have turned the matter too quickly to you. Fill me now with the Spirit and the desire for persevering prayer.

(from Principles of Prayer, by Charles G. Finney)