They feel that they must reach a certain standard of spiritual integrity or visible piety before they can honesty direct themselves to God and try to pray. However, no one can stand before God on the basis of how good or bad, pious or impious, spiritual or unspiritual they are. What makes it possible to present ourselves to God is faith. St. Symeon the New Theologian says that there is no obstacle to faith. As soon as we wish with all our heart, straightaway we believe.
Faith is a gift that everyone has.
By nature a human being is inclined to turn to his or her Creator. Unfortunately, we don't exercise our gift of faith often enough. Man has difficulty doing this. He seems to prefer to be a little god himself or to act like one. Our culture today, with all its achievements, tremendous talents, skills and technical means, refuses to recognise the majesty of God.