It is also about petitions for deliverance from spiritual sin and physical illness. And it is about protection from spiritual and physical enemies.

In our American culture, prayer has been trivialized and materialized. Some people pray for the victory of their football team in Sunday's Super Bowl. Others pray for riches. The ultimate objective of prayer is to be at one with God and to think as He thinks.

Jesus gave this instruction: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6). He then continues with what has come to be known as the Lord's Prayer, but was actually intended for the disciples who had asked him how they should pray.

Yes, I pray, often several times a day, for my family, my country, the war and our military people, our political leadership -- Democrats and Republicans -- friends, and lastly for myself that I won't do anything to cause God's name to be falsely mocked. I do not always succeed, but that is my fault, not God's.