What is prayer?

Prayer is a part of the divine plan for making over that which is into that which ought to be. ~ The Urantia Book, 144:4.9 (1621.8)

“The ideal prayer is a form of spiritual communion which leads to intelligent worship. True praying is the sincere attitude of reaching heavenward for the attainment of your ideals.” ~ Jesus, The Urantia Book, 144:2.2 (1618.6)

Prayer is designed to make man less thinking but more realizing; it is not designed to increase knowledge but rather to expand insight. ~ The Urantia Book, 143:7.4 (1616.6)

Prayer is not a technique of escape from conflict but rather a stimulus to growth in the very face of conflict. Pray only for values, not things; for growth, not for gratification. ~ The Urantia Book, 91:8.13 (1002.5)

All ethical prayer is a stimulus to action and a guide to the progressive striving for idealistic goals of superself-attainment. ~ The Urantia Book, 91:4.2 (997.7)