Unsolvable problems. God must give them to you to cause you to stretch toward him through the pain and discomfort they cause. I have been reading Mark Roberts book No Holds Barred. It suggests the Psalms as models to use to get some passion into your prayer. I admit that I consider my problems trivial, though they plague me. A distant, angry family member that I cannot communicate with is nothing like starvation, lack of food or shelter, terminal disease, depression. I want a closer relationship to Christ, but I need to approach him with something more dignified than a whine. I guess this might lead him to bestow a larger problem on me to "solve" my problem.

I have started praying the rosary. I remembered a prayer from my youth, called the Angelus, I think:
"Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, My Mother. To thee I come before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen."
I'll let you know how it goes., but once again, I'm skeptical.

The second aspect of Mark Robert's book is his clear personal experience that the fullness of God's presence follows the offering of any prayer that matters to us. Am I too blase about my relationship to God. Should I insist on His attention. Once again, I feel a whine coming on. I want the relationship, but I want to show my respect for God, too. Can I be passionate and keep my dignity? I cry easily when speaking to others about my problems. In my prayers, I'm stoic. I can't be a child to Him. Does that disallow Him being a Father to me.

Dryness.