Too much praying is only form.

Many who scorn written prayers are as guilty of formalism as those who read their supplications to God. Having fallen into the habit of repeating the same prayers over and over again, they do not really pray from their hearts. They mean well — but they do not pray well. This is not to imply that prayers are better because of eloquence. On the contrary, it is a call for communication with God in prayer rather than rote recitations that rise no higher than the ceiling.

Elijah was a prophet who prayed fervently. His recorded prayers were brief but powerful. His prayer on Mount Carmel is contained in two Bible verses: “…LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again” (I Kings 18:36:37), That fervent prayer brought fire down upon the sacrifice that had been prepared and in a short time the awful drought that had lasted for so long had ended.

How does your prayer fare in the “fervent” examination?

Is it time to trade form for fervency?

Remember: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”