One aspect of practical atheism is that “man not only makes himself his own rule, but would make himself the rule of God and give laws to his Creator.” The sixth way Charnock lists that man does this is in having corrupt content or goals in our prayers and praises.

Stephen Charnock
The Existence & Attributes of God
Vol. 1, pp. 196-197.

It is evidenced in corrupt matter or ends of prayer and praise. When we are importunate for those things that we know not whether the righteousness, holiness, and wisdom of God can grant, because he hath not discovered his will in any promise to bestow them, we would then impose such conditions on God, which he never obliged himself to grant. When we pray for things not so much to glorify God, which ought to be the end of prayer, as to gratify ourselves.

We acknowledge, indeed, by the act of petitioning, that there is a God, but we would have him ungod himself to be at our beck, and debase himself to serve our turns. When we desire those things which are repugnant to those attributes whereby he doth manage the government of the world; when, by some superficial services, we think we have gained indulgence to sins, which seems to be the thought of the strumpet, in her paying her vows, to wallow more freely in the mire of her sensual pleasures: “I have peace offerings with me; this day I have paid my vows, I have made my peace with God, and have entertainment for thee” (Prov. 7:14). Or when men desire God to bless them in the commission of some sin, as when Balak and Balaam offered sacrifices, that they might prosper in the cursing of the Israelites (Num. 25:1, etc.)

So for a man to pray to God to save him, while he neglects the means of salvation appointed by God, or to renew him when he slights the word, the only instrument to that purpose—this is to impose laws upon God, contrary to the declared will and wisdom of God, and to desire him to slight his own institutions. When we come into the presence of God with lusts reeking in our hearts, and leap from sin to duty, we would impose the law of our corruption on the holiness of God.

While we pray the will of God may be done (Mat. 6:10), self-love wishes its own will may be performed, as though God should serve our humors when we will not obey his precepts. And when we make vows under any affliction, what is it often but a secret contrivance to bend and flatter him to our conditions? We will serve him if he will restore us. We think thereby to compound the business with him, and bring him down to our terms.