where is your mind during prayer?

"how easily we convince ourselves that we are praying to the Lord when in reality we are locked in our own thoughts.  we need to ask: if i'm happy, am i really rejoicing in Him or am i rejoicing in my own self-satisfaction?  if i'm worried or afraid, am i truly and humbly asking Him for help or is my mind busy trying to work our some plan (however spiritual it may seem) for getting myself out of trouble"

-mike mason, as quoted in prayers of an excellent wife