The Power and Purpose of Prayer
What do you mean by 'prayer' to start with? If you thought it was asking God for stuff you're not completely wrong. We're supposed to ask God for our needs, and I think it's just fine to ask God for the particular things like, "Dear God, please heal my son," or "Please God, we need money to pay the bills."
However, these sorts of prayers are really a means to an end rather than an end in themselves. When we pray for specific things we are putting it all into God's hands. We may say, "Give us this day ...