Christianity 101 - Prayer
What is it and what does it do?
Prayer according to Websters
Definition of PRAYER
1a (1) : an address (as a petition to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage> (2) :a set order of words used in prayer
b : an earnest request or wish
2: the act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling inprayer>
3: a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
4: something prayed for
5: a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>
Origin of PRAYER
Middle English, from Anglo-French priere, praiere, preiere,from Medieval Latin precaria, from Latin, feminine ofprecarius obtained by entreaty, from prec-, prex
Prayer according to Wikipedia
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a god or spirit through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creed, or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person. There are different forms of prayer such as petitionary prayer, prayers of supplication, thanksgiving, and worship/praise. Prayer may be directed towards a deity, spirit, deceased person, or lofty idea, for the purpose of worshipping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing sins or to express one's thoughts and emotions. Thus, people pray for many reasons such as personal benefit or for the sake of others.
As a Christian we pray to God, Jesus.
Some helpful resources to help you understand what prayer is
Using A-C-T-S as a way of prayer by Jeff Miller
A Greater Prayer by Jeff Miller