sandy feet

praying for all that stirs in my heart is like trying to rinse my feet at the beach. place a sandy foot in a bucket of water. step back onto the sand. place other sandy foot in the bucket of water. place it back onto the sand. what I mean is....there is a lot to pray about. there's a long list of people in need, family in new places, kids I want to cover with supernatural force fields, friends with ailing loved ones, strangers with evident struggles, and don't even get me started on the political leaders....the laundry list just goes on & on. it's overwhelming. especially since I've neglected the whole idea for a long while. 
I'm not surprised it seems like a difficult chore to begin. I accept the vast consequence of my neglect. what I am surprised about is how I've become an observer of God's work, like a fan or spectator, rather than an active member of His force, His kingdom, His work. It's as if I've slipped away to a comfortable spot of want. How did THAT happen?
I could toil over understanding my inadequacy in the prayer department OR I could just start the practice of prayer, again, no matter how choreful it may seem right now. 
danish philoshopher Kierkegaard said "prayer does not change God, it changes him who prays". that sounds good. sign me up. is it that simple? 
I'll just start with a spoken word. then a moment of listening. then let my heart recall all the concerns of the day, all the people who come to mind. most importantly I'll listen to Him who wants to direct my path. My God who cares for every detail of my life. My God who only wants the bestest stuff ever for me. that's a good place to begin. it may start off small & lifeless, sometimes even feel pointless, but I've experienced true prayer at it's most powerful and I know I want to be a part of that again. 
so, where's that bucket.......