At some point, every child has to learn how to ask for things appropriately. We teach them to be polite and respectful in their requests. We’ve all heard someone ask their child “What’s the magic word?” (Answer: “PLEEEEEEEEASE!”) or tell them “‘I want’ doesn’t get!” We make it clear that there are ways of asking for things which guarantee that the answer is going to be “no”.
Is it the same way with God? Well, yes and no. There certainly aren’t “magic words” which we can use to make sure God gives us what we ask for. God does not weigh up our prayers according to whether they observe the rules of British etiquette, nor even of English grammar. But there are things in our hearts which could lead God to say “no”. The answer to the question ”How not to pray” is not about the form of our prayers, but the frame of our hearts.