H. P. Liddon, Some Elements of Religion: Lent Lectures 1870, 2nd ed. (London: Rivingtons, 1873), lecture on prayer (answering the "barrier" of inexorable natural law), p. 192.

No; to pray for rain or sunshine, for health or food, is just as reasonable as to pray for gifts which the soul only can receive—increased love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. All such prayers p…