I'm a Christian, and I believe God wants us to pray, not because he needs our prayers, but for our own good. It's kind of like meditation. Prayer centers and soothes us, and praying for other people helps take our minds off ourselves and focus on others. God to me isn't an old man in the sky, but a spirit working gently within us. Prayer helps us connect with this universal spirit. I also believe prayer opens us to the flow of God's work in our lives. I don't believe he dispenses answers like Santa gives out candy, but I believe that by connecting with a higher consciousness, we invite into our lives a life-giving and transformative energy.