Miracles of the modern world's communication system astound our imagination. When Alexander Bell, years ago invented introduced the telephone, he was considered a wizard. But he only scratched the surface of what, today, has been one of the wonders of our age. He found that human voice could be transmitted over wire. Since that eventful day men have by experimentation, discovered other channels through which messages can be sent to the far corners of the earth. Without these existing channels in the air, provided by an all wise Creator, men's efforts would fall to the ground.

SPIRITUAL CHANNELS
How easy then, for GOD to also have established spiritual channels whereby He can communicate with man and man with Him!
Through prayers and the gift of His Holy Spirit given after the creation of man and more fully extended at Pentecost, men everywhere can now commune with their heavenly Father. "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26).
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).
"Let is therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).

WHAT IS PRAYER?
Prayer is an humble entreaty of the heart's desires directed to GOD the Father in the name of JESUS.
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, for without it, we die spiritually. Prayer is the opening of ourselves before a loving Father in heaven.
It is the breathing, the panting of the spirit after GOD.
"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God"
(Psalm 42:1).

Prayer is the running in on the love, the mercy and the goodness of Him to whom we owe our very life and being. Prayer is not only asking of GOD but is also returning thanks and praises for what He has already done. Often, we should, out of gratitude, kneel and thank the Lord for blessings received. Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to GOD at midnight in jail. Forgetting their immediate plight in the inner prison with their feet in stocks, they praised Him who was the author of the salvation.
Prayer is adoration and thanksgiving to GOD who loved us, even sending JESUS to die on the cross. We love Him because He first lobbed us.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
When we view GOD through His magnificent creation, the awesome universe and the grandeur and beauty of nature, we should see ourselves as poor, wretched and helpless creatures before Him. We are solely dependent on His love and mercy. Of ourselves, we cannot cope with the problems of life.
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." (James 1:5).

WHY PRAY?
As our physical bodies are sustained by breathing in pure air and exhaling the foul air, likewise our spiritual life is sustained only by the breath of prayer to a mighty God and Father in heaven. The basis of much failure is the lack of prayer. Our very nature is adverse to prayer. We need to pray to God for a deeper desire to pray. We need to, with the disciples, cry out, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). To come out victorious in the battles of life, we need to pray earnestly for light, for strength and for more faith. Often our eyes are closed to the truths of GOD, so we need to pray,
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law" (Psalm 119:18).
Physical strength is no spiritual weapon. The arm of flesh cannot save us.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7). Lest our feet are turned aside to evil ways we need to pray.
"Order my steps in thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" (Psalm 119:133).
Since Satan magnifies the mistakes and the failure of others we need to pray for eye salve to see the good. Above all we need to pray for endurance,
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

HOW TO PRAY?
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). We must pray earnestly, soberly and in all humility. Yet we are to come boldly before GOD,
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). JESUS richly teaches on prayer. We are not to make a show of it standing to be seen of men.
We are not to make vain repetitions, thinking we shall be heard for long drawn out praying.
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
What a precious promise! JESUS pinpoints the issue of prayer when He says,

"After this manner therefore pray ye: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day or daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and they power, and the glory, forever. Amen" (Matthew 6:5-13).

We must come to the LORD in faith, believing and trusting Him completely. Often we feel a lack here and are prone to cry out,
"help thou my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). The Lord has made provision for our weak faith. If we read and study His Word with the intension to hear and to obey, we will be strengthened in faith.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

We need a deeper knowledge and acquaintance with our heavenly Father. God talks to us daily. Have we closed our ears; have we shut our eyes: We have faith in people we really know. We like to be together with them. By abiding in the Lord we will get better acquainted with Him.
"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
What are the obstructions when you fail to get an answer to prayer?
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18).
Here is a block to successful prayer.
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 John 3:22). Therefore let us cleanse the sins from our hearts and lives that GOD may answer our prayers.

Have we an unforgiven spirit?
"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses " (Matthew 6:15).

Are we selfish?
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3).

Do we lack love to our brother?
"But he that hateth his brother is in darkness" (1 John 2:11).

Are we stingy?
"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17).

Have we failed to be reconciled with offended brothers?
"First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:24). These sins and many others will certainly hinder our prayers.

How often have we failed to listen when GOD would speak to us through His Word, a neighbor, a brother or parents? We failed to get an answer because we were not listening. JESUS said,
"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15).

OPEN THE GATES
May we open the gates to a blessed prayer life. Amen...!!!
God's resources are limitless. He who fashioned the world and provides everything for the whole universe is ready and willing to give us just what we need both materially and spiritually.
Is someone discouraged? Prayer is the answer. Notice how dry and wilted flowers lift their heads after a welcome shower of rain. See the parched and thirsty ground absorb the needed shower and take a different hue.

Open your Bible, find what the Book of all books has to say further about prayer.
Following are some references:

-Pray to God: Psalm 5:2

-Pray to our Father in heaven: Matthew 6:9

-Pray through JESUS CHRIST: John 14:14

-When to pray: Psalm 55:17

-Pray without ceasing: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

-Pray for one another: James 5:16

-Pray for backsliders: 2 Chronicles 7:14

-Pray for all men: 1 Timothy 2:1,2

-A sinner's prayer: Luke 18:13

-God's ears are open to prayers: 1 Peter 3:12

-God promises to give help: Matthew 7:7

-Results of prayers: James 5:17,18; Acts 4:24-31; 9:10-18.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Thank you, brother.

Prayer is a communication line with our Father..a mobile phone if you will. Only He hears..not any dead people "saints". Only He is omniscient...allknowing. His name is "God hears" in Hebrew.

He commands us to pray i.e. TALK to Him.

Hallelujah....!!! And our prayers must be answered in Jesus' Name. Amen...!

Sometimes the answer is NO. lol

True. If it is out of His Will.