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Here you go!
1) At the core, I'd say that Buttrick thinks prayer is communion with God. I agree with this, and would say that it is one of the best ways to commune with God.
2) I would say this tension exists for two reasons. Firstly, people sometimes need things spelled out for them, especially in unfamiliar, or new places in their life. Buttrick is trying to say that while these things are helpful, but not set in stone. While we may want to follow this pattern in most cases, there will be times we most likely wont follow this pattern perfectly. Second, as people in general, we generally like patterns. While we like patterns, it is good to change things up once in a while. Imagine it like doing the exact same thing every day with your best friend. Eventually, you are going to want to do something different. It is the same with your relationship with God, sometimes you need a change, especially as you grow in Christ.
3) Buttrick describes four main elements of prayer: self-preparation, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and petition, along with meditation between each of these. In essence, you enter prayer preparing yourself, then thank God for all he has done, or "enter his courts with thanksgiving", then ask for God to forgive you, then prayer for others, and lastly, ask for God to help us in our needs.
4) I really like how he describes it as not an easy thing. It is like telling your parents all that you disobeyed them that day. I also really like hot he describes contrition as surgery, because while it is a good thing, it isn't always easy.
