Prayer is a two way communication system between Man and God- a vertical connection.

Man talks, God hears, God speaks, man listens and takes action!
James 4:2

Ephesians 6:18
¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

John 5:30
Jesus Christ is our example, He prayed often and always; showing a perfect example of a perfect and harmonious communication with the Father. Pilippians 2:5-8
Then He taught us TO PRAY!
MATTHEW 6 (KJV):
⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Why should we pray
Ephesians 6:8-18

We should pray because we need to constantly be in the know of this physical world and our every step.

We are destined for a purpose, by God, the enemy of our full-scale-laughter will not let that be! at least not without a fight. That's why Jesus adviced the disciples not to rest on their oars but to WATCH AND PRAY. The enemy is a ravenous lion, roaring while he prowls around, looking for whom he may devour.
How to pray (Prayer format):
Which type of prayer receives (quick/instant) response. I say, we can't always say but God's choice answers are threefold. He says YES instantly or a while later, He says, NO for his own good reason out of His infinite wisdom or He simply says WAIT!

Knowing the difference is being spiritually in tune on the channel and understanding the MIND OF GOD (Isaiah 55:8-9).
KJV- Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 17:6
What to pray for:
Are there issues that need not be tabled before the-most-High?
Are these too trivial or unecessary because God already knows?
The Bible enjoins us to oray without ceasing; there is NOTHING too trivial to table before the Lord in supplication. he knows all things but he expects us to ask (James 4:2)
KJV- Acts 3:19; 1 Peter 5:7; John 3:16;

Praying always for the body of Christ is love!

Philippians 1:9-12 (KJV)

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

¹⁰ That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

¹¹ Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

¹² But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Ephesians 6:18
¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer is the key
John 15:16
Acts 1:14
Psalm 66:17
Proverbs 3:5-6

Psalm 99:5- In reverence and worship should we pray in adoration of the father and His throne of Grace; for His goodness, mercy and many wonderful works
Hebrews 11 (KJV)- 

John 17:20
2 Chronicles 7:14
Philippians 1: ⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

¹⁰ That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

 

Ephesians 3:

¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,