The same answer to the question, “How does biblical prayer differ from other religions” also answers this question.
For the believer, prayer is about our relationship with God.
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It is not a ritual.
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It does not earn us brownie points with God or impress Him.
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It is not about conjuring up a certain religious feeling --we walk by faith not by feelings
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It is not a punishment to “work off sin.”
Matthew 6:7-8 is again a key verse on this issue. Jesus tells us,
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Notice how relational Jesus’ description of prayer is. Our heavenly Father knows what we need even before we begin to ask. Jesus also flat out says, “Don’t do empty repetition” like the many pagan religions.
Tragically, the next verses in Matthew (vv. 9-13), the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus gives us a model or outline of how to pray, is actually turned into an empty repetition by some. But this violates the very thing Jesus told us not to do in v. 6 above. It is babbling and “many words.”
Here is what we commonly call The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 NLT) because is was an example or outline Jesus gave us. Jesus said,
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Jesus did not intend us to actually just pray these words over and over. They are a model or outline. He said, “Pray like this,” as opposed to long, repetitive, flowery prayers.
Notice that it is in two parts. The first three lines focus on God and His kingdom and will. The last three lines focus on us. Our daily needs (not just food of course!), our daily repentance and our need to forgive others the same way, and finally, strength to resist temptation and the devil. If we start by focusing on how great God is, it can change our perspective on our own problems and needs!