  Constantine & Helen, Equal-to-the Apostles Last night my godson and I prayed Compline together. Such a blessing. He’s an immense inspiration for me. Kind a like my daughters. He stopped by for some “godson & godfather time” and like most visits, it culminated with a lesson in punk-rock/reggae HIST.
101, Super-Mex fish burritos and chocolate bars. After completing Compline, he lamented over his inability to be attentive while praying at home and his continuing struggle with what he calls… still-stuck-praying-like-a-Protestant-in-my-private-prayers -disorder. I assured him that our Redeemer hears his prayers no matter how bumbling they may appear to be and that the significance of the prayers of the Saints and the Church are that they not only act as sureties against entreating God for needless desires but also to guarantee we aren’t praying heresy. He understood as well that the prayers we continually hear and recite act as a blue print for our own petitions. He also expressed some grief about being somewhat languid towards praying at home. I told him if for nothing else to look at prayer as spiritual exercise and that exercise isn’t always enjoyable but always beneficial.
That seemed to sit right with him but I detected he wanted more practical advice… That’s when I told him I pray because I feel guilty . If I don’t pray for the folks that I say I will pray for, That becomes one less person interceding for them. And who can stand before God and tell Him that they didn’t have enough time to pray for someone who required His grace.
Guilt motivates. I’m sure there’s a more Christian PC term to describe this, but for me, guilt describes it best. It is just the right motivation that ensures I do what I say I’ll do. This of course was the practical advice I think he was looking for, although not quite the terms to describe it. Lord, have mercy ! 
