Berachot 29: When We Require Abbreviated Prayers, The Thirteen Middle Prayers

At the end of Berachot 28, we learned a new Mishna that stated different opinions about how the Amidah should be said, whether and why it might be abridged, and how one should attempt to face the Temple - or at least put one's heart in the direction of the Temple - while praying.

The rabbis question how a wicked person could become righteous and how a wise person could become wicked. 

The rabbis consider what it means to abridge our eighteen required prayers of the Amida.  They choose thirteen prayers in the middle:

Grant us understanding, Lord our G-d, to know Your ways,

and sensitize our hearts so that we may revere You,

and forgive us so that we may be redeemed,

and keep us far from our suffering,

and satisfy us with the pastures of Your land,

and at her our scattered people from the four corners of the earth,

and those who go astray shall be judged according to Your will,

and raise Your hand against the wicked,

and may the righteous rejoice in the rebuilding of Your city,

and the restoration of Your Sanctuary,

and in the flourishing of Your servant David,

and in establishing a light for Your Messiah, son of Yishai.

Before we call, may You answer.

Blessed are You, Lord, Who listens to prayer.

The rabbis argue about when and why these prayers might be said.  They also speak of when and why these prayers might not be said.  In particular, they focus on the first prayer and the last prayer and what they might imply.

In amud (b), the rabbis discuss different errors in ritual prayer and how those might be addressed.  For example, if one moves their feet before permitted, what is the requisite consequence?  

At the end of our daf, the rabbis consider one who is travelling and thus faces dangerous circumstances that require an abbreviated prayer.  Because G-d "listens to prayer", we can be more confident in our safety.