Purpose of prayer

What is the purpose of prayer?

I always thought it was just a way to talk to God, but too often I see people complaining that God doesn't answer their prayers. When they say that I assume they're just praying to ask for stuff and if they don't get what they want God isn't listening.

I'm curious what everyone believes the purpose of prayer is, or anything in the Bible that confirms what it's for.

I'm a new believer and would like to know the truth.

Prayer is often taught as a way to ask for things. Prayer is Really communication with God. Sometimes communication can be requests, but if most or all of your prayer time is spent making requests you're missing out on the true purpose of prayer. But we live in a shallow society that teaches our wants are primary importance.

That is a good question.. Me personally i pray because i like to let God know where i am at mentally, I also like to pray and talk with God and give praise so it demonstrates that i am open and alive to him, and there are times when i say nothing in prayer and just listen to the Holy Spirit. Some people do treat God and prayer like a genie, just asking and begging for stuff, then when they don't get what they want they end the call... I think you would get many different answers because people have different types of prayer life with God.

The effectual, fervent, prayer of a righteous man, avails much'...

when you really know what your 'connection' is with your Saviour,
He becomes your Best Friend, and when you pray to Him
it's a door that opens-up and takes you right into His precious heart...

Of course, they don't get what they want because they ask amiss KJVJames4;3-4 3.Ye ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lust, 4.Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the World is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the World is the enemy of God.

Prayer is a blessing. It's purpose is found in our relationship to God. Since we are at peace with God through Jesus Christ, we can rejoice and find comfort through this blessing.

Imagine a child who's disciplined to go to his room. He cries. Wants His mom or dad to hear him. He wants to talk to them. But he can't. He's been told to go to his room, stay there, don't come out until told.

God's ears our open unto our prayers! 1 Peter 3.12. That's comforting, assuring.
Our God, Our Creator listens, waits for our prayers!

We don't serve a god who is distant and away from us. We don't have to beg him to hear us.

Here's Philippians 4.6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Paul says in those two verses: Be careful for nothing (don't be anxious, worry). Instead, pray, tell God all about troubles, concerns, and things that cause worry.
But do with thanksgiving. So we tell Him about troubles. But we express thanks to God as well.
And we let our requests be made know to Him. What is your request, what is your need? God wants us to tell Him.
The result of this type of praying: The peace of God shall guard your heart and mind. What will be at the door of your through life? The Peace OF God.

Christianity is a renewed relationship with the Creator. Prayer is communicating with the Creator. He doesn't want us to obey Him because of fear. That's why He calls us His children, and He is our Heavenly Father. I am a dad so I think I have some insight into the mind of God. I don't want my kids to only come to me when they need something or are in trouble. I like it when my kids thank me for what I've already done. When I see that they have appreciation for my efforts, it increases my generosity towards them. I like it when my kids come to me for advice and when they listen to me. Sometimes when they don't listen I'm ok if they get natural consequences. I punish them for their own good but it never means I stop loving them.

I think prayer is primarily an expression of our relationship with God. He is our Father forever, and we are His children forever. God speaks to us through His Word. The better you understand His Word the closer the relationship. In prayer we have the opportunity to make our requests known for ourselves and for others. In humility we accept that His answer will sometimes be no, and that His reasons are always the best for us and for others. In prayer we can express our gratitude. Our gratitude and love for God increases with our understanding of all He has done and will do for us.

Thank you so much everyone for your responses and explaining it better for me. I thought of it like how you do Hungry. What kind of children would we be if we only asked him for stuff. He's not Santa Claus he's our father.

Prayer for me is just a way to get things off of my mind,God for me when it comes to praying is like a free shrink,I don't participate in rituals like getting on my knees and crossing my hands.

While im doing stuff around the apt. And something is really bothering me I'll be like "hey God ,do you jnow what really freaking bothers me?...." then I'll rant at Him for awhile and usually feel better afterwards.

Prayer is a way for us to worship and communicate with God. It should be part of your personal relationship with the Father. This is the reason people who just come to God asking for things don't see prayers answered (to clarify i'm not referring to all Christians). Could you imagine as a son or daughter if all we did to our parents was ask them for things and never had a personal relationship with them? They would probably leave of us out of their Will.