What is a Prayer ?

Prayer is the chief agency and activity whereby we align ourselves with God's purpose. Prayer does not consist in battering the walls of heaven for personal benefits or the success of our plans.  Rather it is the commitment of ourselves for His purposes.  It is a telephone call to headquarters for orders.  It is not bending God's will to ours, but our will to God's.  In prayer, we tap vast reservoirs of spiritual power whereby God can find fuller entrance into the hearts of men.

If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about. Prayer is an integral link in Christian spiritual life, and is the key moment when we have a communion with God. It needs us to open our hearts, speak our hearts to God, quiet our hearts before Him, and truly call out to Him. 

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The sacred promises, though in themselves most sure and precious, are of no avail for the comfort and sustenance of the soul unless you grasp them by faith, plead them in prayer, expect them by hope, and receive them with gratitude. -Spurgeon