Do you wish you had a better prayer life or had more spiritual fruit?

For many years it seemed like I found myself constantly wishing something...that I could pray better, more fervently, in a manner that would please the Lord more, that my concentration during prayer was better, etc. Or that I would be more loving, more forgiving, more patient, etc. I'd wish it and then just kind of put it out of my mind, figuring all I could do was my best and hoping that some day, maybe I'd get better.

Then one day, years ago, it finally hit me like a ton of bricks: "Why don't you just ask the Lord for these things???" So I did! And miracle of miracles, each time I asked, He answered and I found myself becoming what I'd previously only wished for! I don't mean to imply that I'd pray and that I'd instantly be transformed into a super intercessor or whatever it was I was praying for but usually within a few weeks of praying for something, as I'd be praying for it yet again, I'd realize that I'd already changed and was already growing toward that goal. Of course that realization just made me more excited each time so that I'd continue praying for whatever it was.

As I was praying for yet more spiritual fruit this morning, it made me think of this and I remembered how I used to feel so hopeless that I'd ever be able to have a really good prayer life or experience the various other things I wanted to have for the Lord's glory, and how shocked I was at how the Lord answers these prayers so quickly as long we continue to obey Him and study His Word and ask Him for help. So I thought I'd share this with you guys in case some of you have ever felt this way. Now whenever I think of this "duh!" moment, it reminds me of these scriptures:

James 4:2b–3 (NIV) — You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Luke 11:9–13 (NIV) — “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

John 16:24 (NIV) — Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.