As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God (Psalm 42:1 NKJB).
There is a difference between praying our prayers & really praying. We should want a relationship with God above anything else in the world. Most people pray without really wanting intimacy with God.
I thirst for God, the living God, When can I come and stand before him? (Psalms 42:2) - Do you want God that much? Be honest. Talk to God about how you are really feeling! That kind of honesty in prayer will pave the way for God to heal the real needs & not just take care of the whims.
Use Psalm 42 as a model on how to pray to God. This will lead you into deeper levels of prayer. Let the steadfast love of God draw you back to the loving arms of the Father. Remembering what God has done in your life will lead you to expect answers to your prayers.
