Thoughts on prayer from "Praying Backwards" by Bryan Chapell:

"We live in a fallen world. Biblical prayer does not solve all our earthly problems, and God never promised it would... Instead, he said, 'In this world you will have trouble' (John 16:33). Prayer does not relieve all suffering, but it assures us that no difficulty comes without purpose. When we pray 'in Jesus' name,' we have God's assurance that he will answer our prayer in a way that brings glory to Jesus and furthers his kingdom."

"The godliest and most prayerful people know from experience the meaning of disappointment, grief, failure, rejection, betrayal, incapacity, and illness. In this fallen world you cannot avoid suffering; you can have peace in the midst of it. You cannot avoid trials; you can have confidence of their purpose. You cannot bind God by your prayers; you can guarantee his blessing. You cannot direct the will of God; you can pray according to his will and rest in the assurance of his love. You can pray knowing that God will marshal the powers of heaven to accomplish on earth all he knows is best for your eternity. Praying in Jesus' name is the key.

Through Jesus we pray without the limitations of our wisdom or faith. We seek the favor of the heavenly Father represented by the Son he loves. We approach the throne of grace without the burden of our sin and with the righteousness of our Savior. We ask for his blessing based on God's wisdom, not ours. We trust in his faithfulness, not in the adequacy of our faith. We petition God with the confidence that earth and eternity will bend to his will on our behalf. All of these assurances are our as we pray in Jesus' name.

...Praying backwards will inevitably turn our prayer priorities upside down. By saying 'in Jesus' name' first, we will more readily discern when our prayers go astray from his purposes, hijacked by our self-interest. Of course, actually saying the words 'in Jesus' name' at the beginning of our prayers is not really the point. The message of this book is to put first in our hearts what those words are supposed to mean: 'I offer this prayer for Jesus' sake.' When Jesus' priorities come first, our prayers will change. They will be less self-oriented, more Christ-directed, more blessed, and ultimately satisfying to our hearts.

...somehow proper prayer must put more trust in God's will than in human wants..."