But it is a dangerous error, surely very widespread among Christians, to think that the heart can pray by itself. For then we confuse wishes, hopes, sighs, laments, rejoicing–all of which the heart can do by itself–with prayer. And we confuse heaven and earth, human beings and God.

Prayer does not mean simply to pour out one’s heart. It means rather to find the way to God and to speak to God, whether the heart is full or empty. No person can do that by oneself. For that one needs Jesus Christ.