David Powlison on how to respond to the question, "How may I pray for you?" in a way that goes beyond the boilerplate.

“I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, and have been inattentive and irritable to those nearest and dearest to me. . . .

Please pray for me, that I will awaken and turn from my preoccupation with work pressures, recreations, health problems, or money.

God promises to help me pay attention to him. Ask him to help me remember and focus. . . .

"Ask him to help me to take my family and other people to heart.

Pray that I will take refuge in him when the pressure is on.

The Lord is my refuge, but I’ve been taking refuge in TV and food.”