We churchy people love to pray for others. The Bible, Church teaching, and our personal experiences constantly remind us that prayer makes a difference. Prayer has the power to change people’s hearts, and draws us closer to the heart of God – perhaps in the way that my heart is moved when I have a deep conversation with someone or receive an unsolicited hug from one of my kids. I’ve noticed, however, that our sinful nature can infect even our most pure desires for prayer. I call this phenomenon