When we pray what are we doing?  Most of us pray because we want an answer from God to solve some dilemma we want Him to fix.  Sometimes He responds and gives us what we think we need, but how He answers is really not the issue.  Keep these five Truth Matters in mind when trying to define what prayer is:
 
1. Connection with the Divine: Prayer is a means to deepen one's relationship with God, expressing reverence, gratitude, and desires.
2. Expression of Dependence: It reflects our reliance on God for guidance, support, and sustenance
3. Transformation: Prayer can change us, making us more aligned with the values and character of Jesus
4. Comfort and Guidance: It provides comfort in times of distress and helps us seek God's will and wisdom
5. Privilege and Power: Prayer is seen as a privilege, offering us direct access to God, and it holds power even if the exact workings remain a mystery
 
Of the five, I think 2 and 3 are important for us to realize most when it comes to prayer.  Sometimes we miss his answers because we're not listening or we're expecting a different answer so we don't recognize it when it comes, and other times the answer comes through reading the Bible or talking to others, but God will answer. His wisdom far exceeds our own because he sees farther and loves deeper and has his sights set on an eternity with those he loves, not just gratification in the immediate moment.
 
Today's My Utmost for His Highest stresses this point:
 
“Our identification with the Lord is realized most strongly in prayer. Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why ask? So that you “may be one” as the Father and Son are one (John 17:22-23). Prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God.

If we think of prayer not as a oneness with God but rather as a way to get answers or blessings, we think wrongly. When we go to God for answers, we are bound to get irritated, because although God always responds, it isn't always in the way we want. When a prayer seems to go unanswered, we must be careful not to blame someone else; that is a snare of Satan. If we look to God, we will find that there's a reason which is a deep instruction for us, not for anyone else. We will see that our refusal to identify ourselves with our Lord in prayer is what has led to our irritation. We must remember that we are not here to prove that God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of his grace.”

The point is, we are not omniscient...God is.  A lot of time we pray for things, circumstances, or people to meet immediate needs or desires, but we don't realize God has a perfect plan that transcends the immediate.  He might be in the process of changing us (often is the case) or that “person” or “circumstance” may be undergoing a change we're not aware of, but God is working to His glory.  Like number 4 above states:  prayer  “provides comfort in times of distress and helps us seek God's will and wisdom.”  If we keep that Truth Matter before us when we pray, we realize the real meaning and importance of prayer.
 
My prayer for you and me this day is this:  Lord, help us to see prayer in a different light.  Help us to understand and experience the privilege we have in coming into Your presence seeking Your face and placing our trust and faith in Your will and way.  Thank You Lord for allowing us to spend time with You.  Amen
 
Walk with the King today and be a blessing.