It is better to say your own prayers, even if you sometimes fall into a formula.

It is better to have a formula to fall into then not.

The standard formula for Saints is

Heavenly Father,

We thank thee . . .

We ask thee . . .

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

And that is good enough.

Lately I have felt the need to add to the formula for my own prayers.

I have added in repentance. And whatever the complement of repentance is, avowals or promises to do things. A statement of aims.

I find that daily repentance works better when my prayer formula works it in. Even in family prayer when we don’t have any specific horrors we’ve just committed, so far the formulaic “and we repent of our sins” has been blessed by the Spirit.

The aims have been less transformative, since we usually work those in in the guise of asking for things. “Please bless us in our efforts to build a tree house today,” etc. But I find that my prayer is more direct, less intermediated, when I state the aims right out. I believe this is pleasing to God.

Father in heaven,

We thank thee . . .

We repent  . . .

We aim to . . .

We ask thee . . .

In Jesus’ name, amen.