Notes from "Too Busy Not to Pray" by Bill Hybels

Heart-building habits:
Avoid straight jacket discipline
Don't let the decision be negotiable

Jesus' prayer principles:
Pray unseen
Do not babble
Lord's prayer as a model

Get away from distractions. 
Create a special atmosphere. 
Mean what we say. 
Pray from the heart.
Pray Specifically.
Reflect on your time with God.
Pray!

Pattern for prayer:
Adoration--sets the tone for entire prayer.  Reminds us of God's identity and inclination.  Purifies the one who is praying.  Because He is worthy.

Confession--call sins by true names.

Thanksgiving--4 kinds:
1--answered prayers
2--spiritual blessings
3--relational blessings
4--material blessings

Supplication--Categories:
1--ministry
2--people
3--family life
4--personal needs
Keep a list and review it a few weeks out.

Write prayers out--then say them out loud.

Hurt of unanswered prayer:
Inappropriate requests
Too loving to say "yes"
The importance of motives
God's glory or mine?
The mystery of suffering
Not yet
Trusting the Father
Barriers between us and God

Prayer Busters:
Everything but prayer--prayerlessness
Not regular, earnest, and persistent
Contaminated by cheating by having unconfessed sin
Broken relationships
Selfishness
Uncaring attitudes
Inadequate faith

Practical Journaling:
Start with word "Yesterday", then recount events--people, appointments, decisions, thoughts, feelings, high points, low points, frustrations, what you read in Bible, what you were going to do and didn't.
Limit prayers to one page.  Then kneel and pray it out loud.  Then LISTEN TO GOD.

Slow down, reflect, listen.

Promptings:  Are they really from God?
1--Consistent with Scripture?
2--Consistent with God's gifts?
3--Usually involve servanthood

If a "prompting" promises easy money, fame, and perks and toys, better watch out.

Increasing God's presence:  3 benefits
1--Divine companionship
2--Supernatural confidence
3--Increased compassion for other human beings