Why do people pray?

The question seems rhetorical, since people who pray obviously see its merits. Certainly, there are many who pray because it is a convenient exercise: Praying alleviates the present sense of helplessness, by providing an outlet for Someone has greater power to resolve a situation that seems hopeless, at least by their own estimation. There are also those who pray because they truly, sincerely believe that the hand of God will come and take control of the situation, and render things right. And there are those who pray not out of desperation, but out of a sense of duty; a need to do so because that is what they were taught to do, how they were taught to respond to life's ups and downs.

I think I pray because I need an expression of how I feel, to One whom I believe is ultimately in charge. While, like so many others, I have prayed in situations of helplessness (I think of the desperate prayers by my father's deathbed); in situations of fear and pain (the emotional trauma of breakup, the emptiness of my bedroom at night); and out of pure habit and discipline (before meals; before exams) - I believe that the deepest moments have been those where I touched the robe of God, just through either a silent communion, through inward groanings that need no explication, through listening to His voice, rather than clouding the conversation with speaking.

If only we could always have such deep moments of prayer. Alas, for me at least, they come few and far between. Sometimes for lack of an environment. And sometimes because I have crowded out those opportunities through the business and busyness of life. But, I think, most for want of trying.