Mom's thoughts on prayer from her journal

Mom wrote this in her journal after reading from Oswald Chambers book on prayer. It was perfectly fitting for us and reminded us of her incredible faith during this journey. Even in her hospital bed, on life support, she was reminding us as to where our prayers should lie.

Think of the last thing you prayed about - were you devoted to your desire or God? The point of asking is that you may get to know God better. "Delight thyself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of thine heart" Keep praying in order to get a perfect understanding of God Himself.
The main reason many of us leave off praying and become hard towards God is because we have only a sentimental interest in prayer. Too often instead of worshiping God, we construct a statement on how prayer works. We hurl our own petitions at God's throne and dictate to Him as to what we wish Him to do. We do not worship God, nor do we seek to form the mind of Christ.
The plaintive, self-centered, morbid kind of prayer is dead-set on the fact that I want to be right, is never found in the New Testament. The real business of your life has a saved soul is intercessory prayer, whatever circumstances God puts you in, pray immediately, pray for your friends right now; pray for those with whom you come in contact now. Pray on the realization that you are only perfect in Christ Jesus, not on this plea, "O Lord, I have done my best, please hear me." Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural.
Is the Son of God praying in me or am I dictating to Him? God always hears the prayers of His Son, and if the Son of God is formed in me the Father will always hear my prayers.
The great battle in private prayer is the over-coming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline and concentrate on willful prayer. First thing to do when you wake in the morning is to swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.
Prayer is the way the life of God in us is nourished. We often pray as a means of getting things for ourselves; the Bible's idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. God has bigger issues at stake than the particular things I ask.
In prayer - Have no other motive than to know your Father in heaven. It is impossible to conduct your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer. Prayer is getting into perfect communication with God. Remember that we have to ask God things that are in keeping with the God whom Jesus Christ revealed.
God's silences are His answers. If God has given you a silence, praise Him, He is bringing you into a great run of His Purpose. If Jesus is bringing you into the understanding that prayer is for the glorifying of His Father, he will give you the first sign of His intimacy - silence.
Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work.
In intercession you bring the person, or the circumstances that impinges on you before God until you are moved by His attitude toward it.