Our prayer practices critically affect our discipleship. The time we spend in prayer (or the lack thereof) is reflected in our lives. Think about people you know whose prayer lives are intentional and fruitful. They are the people to whom you go with prayer requests. Sometimes it is the pastor, but sometimes not. Pastors are not the only people who have active prayer lives. There is something about people with active prayer lives that gives you confidence in their ability to communicate with God. It should be more than the ability to use flowery words and phrases. It is their sincere and open conversation with the Lord and Giver of Life.

Some people certainly are gifted by the Holy Spirit for intercession, but all people have the ability to come before God with their needs and requests to "find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, NRSV). James 5:13 says "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise." (James 5:13, NIV)3

There are many forms of prayer -- contemplation, singing, praying Scripture, and more; and no one way is better than another. Often, prayer does not require words: God knows what is in our hearts. In a book titled Cloud of Unknowing, the author writes that all that matters in prayer is to allow the awareness of our selves to be "carried up with glad, vigorous love and, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, united with the precious being of God, just as (God) is in himself, no more and no less."

The important thing about prayer is to do it! And remember that all effective communication is two-way. Spend time in God's presence listening for God's response to your prayers.

Jesus did mention some ways that we should and should not pray:
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father, who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matthew 6:5-8, NRSV).

In these days of uncertainty, there may be much to pray about. Remember these words from the Apostle Paul, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving [for what you already have], let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding [often found while we spend time listening] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7, NRSV).

John Wesley, founder of Methodism, had this to say about the effects of prayer: "God does nothing but in answer to prayer." And he encouraged others in their discipleship; "O begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way: else you will be a trifler all your days."

If you think that your prayers are not important see these verses from Revelation 5:8 (NRSV): "When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, Each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

And from Revelation 8:3 (NRSV): "Another angel with a golden censer came and stood at the altar; he was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar that is before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel."

What a wonderful image -- to envision our prayers rising like incense before God!

I have many books on prayer, but reading all of them will not improve my prayer life unless I put that information into practice, take time to spend with God, present my requests, and listen for God's response. Jean Pierre de Caussade said, "If we wish to quench our thirst we must lay aside books which explain thirst and take a drink."

Our membership vows and the wisdom of Scripture point the way to a deeper relationship with God through prayer. All we have to do is to be faithful in our practice!

"Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude." (Col. 4:2, The Message4)

Source: http://www.gbod.org/laity/articles.asp?item_id=47542