The work of prayer at first is to make it habitual, so it does not depend on feelings of inspiration.
After that, the work of prayer is to allow it to reach the heart, so it does not become rote, a task among others on a to-do list that can be “completed” when the correct words are said. This is the work of allowing what we confess with our lips to penetrate our heart and take us somewhere surprising, even when it inconveniences us and disrupts our plans.
After that, the work of prayer to allow it to grow beyond a mere religious experience and engulf one’s entire life. This is the work of allowing the flame kindled in the secret place to burn all the way out to the edges of one’s life and consume every thought, every action, every interaction. To allow oneself to be completely overtaken by the fire of love borne in the furnace of prayer.
This takes a lifetime, of course, or more, but as Abba Joseph said to Abba Lot, “You can become all flame.”
