Prayer is an active effort to communicate with a deity or spirit, including a monotheist God, Saints, gods within a pantheon, or others; either to offer praise, to make a request, confess sins, or simply to express one's thoughts and emotions. The words of the prayer may either be a set hymn or incantation, or a spontaneous utterance in the devotee's own words.
Praying has many different forms. Prayer may be done privately and individually, or it may be done corporately in the presence of fellow believers. Prayer can be incorporated into a daily "thought life", in which one is in constant communication with God. Praying throughout all that is happening during the day and seeking guidance as the day progresses.
Ultimately prayer is a relationship between the created and the creator. There can be many different answers to prayer, just as there are many ways to "hear" the answers. Some may be audible, others may interpret healing, or specific physicals signs as answers to their prayer. How the answer is given and in what time frame it is given can be as varied as the requests themselves.
My personal definition of prayer is a conscious effort of spiritual communication to a higher spiritual being who is God. In this way, I can express my thoughts, my intentions, my desires and feelings and make them known to God.
However, I also do realize that there are petitions being prayed for that may or may not be granted. My experience has taught me, that even when one’s petitions are not granted, it is not a reason to be discouraged from the act of fervent praying. I do believe that when one asks for something in prayer, one must have strong faith that it will be granted; as Jesus have said, “Be it done according to your faith”.
When you pray real hard for something you so desperately want and it is not granted, what do you do? Are you discouraged, or are you even more encouraged to continue praying until your petitions are granted? What are your chances of a successful prayer? Is it in most cases, more granted petitions than denied? Is it more effective if you ask someone else to pray for your needs?
