Even while lodging strong complaint, this fellow (Psalm 13) does not neglect praise and thanksgiving:

Complaint: “How long, O Jehovah, will you forget me? Forever?” (vs 1)

P & T:  “As for me, in your loving-kindness I have trusted… I will sing to Jehovah, for he has dealt rewardingly with me. (5-6)

Though not in the article, it illustrated well certain points of October 2’s Watchtower Study: ‘Treasure Your Privilege of Prayer.’ (Theme scripture: “May my prayer be as incense prepared before you.”​—PS. 141:2)

Not every prayer is going to be praise and thanksgiving. But put it in the backdrop if you can.

It squares too with counsel from a certain psychologist that it’s good to view matters in certain lights even if those lights do not seem to most accurate ways in which to view them. Gratitude works best, even when one seems not to have immediate reason to be grateful.

Since you prepare your prayer “as incense,” Exodus 30:34-35 was cited: “Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Take equal portions of these perfumes: stacte drops, onycha, perfumed galbanum, and pure frankincense. Make it into an incense . . .skillfully blended, salted, pure, and holy.”

Don’t screw it up. Best not get too sloppy about it, in other words. You can only take this application so far because you were toast if you got the incense wrong whereas it is not so with prayer—but still, best not get too sloppy over it. It’s not a barroom chum you’re addressing.

Praise and thanksgiving is always in the background, always constitutes the greater framework of the prayer. As with music. Note all notes go together. Most don’t. Make sure yours do—like a harmonious backdrop even in a prayer with pointedly another object.

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