Fervent, Rational Prayer

I found the following on prayer by Edmund Clowney from his commentary on 1 Peter (BST) really helpful:

The end of all things is near.

Therefore be alert[clear-minded] and of sober mind

so that you may pray.

1 Peter 4.7

Sobriety and a clear mind have one value above others. They equip us for prayer. Peter does not think of prayer as an effort to induce ecstasy, but as sober, direct, profoundly thoughtful communication with the Lord. His whole letter points us to the depth and glory of our fellowship with Christ. We have not seen him, but we love him; we set him apart as holy in our hearts. Peter's love for Christ is intensely personal; he is overwhelmed by the glory of the Lord. He does not, therefore, advocate prayer as a cold, rational exercise. But we might say that he advocates it as a fervent, rational exercise. Fervent love, agonizing intercession, these are marks of true prayer. Peter knew of Christ's agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Prayer tastes the agony of struggle or the delight of communion with God. Yet prayer seeks the Lord, not a transformation of consciousness. Prayer demands alertness. Peter failed in Gethsemane. He slept when Jesus had charged him to watch and pray (Mark 14.37).