What is humility but truthfulness? There is no real difference. - Walter Hilton

The purpose of prayer is not to inform our Lord what you desire, for He knows all your needs. It is to render you able and ready to receive the grace which our Lord will freely give you. This grace cannot be experienced until you have been refined and purified by the fire of desire in devout prayer. For although prayer is not the cause for which our Lord gives grace, it is nevertheless the means by which grace, freely given, comes to the soul.

We therefore need to know the gifts given us by God, so that we may use them, for by these we shall be saved.

Regard yourself all the more as a sinner because you cannot feel yourself to be what you are.