Why pray? Many preachers and teacher will start with the benefits to praying.  And in doing so, focus on us motivating the what: what to do and what we get from doing so. In this response message, I counter by saying all prayer, as all of the Bible, starts with the Who, and if we miss this, we miss the entire purpose and power behind prayer.

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV):
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

John 17:20-21 (NIV)
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."

Luke 23:34 (NIV):
"Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."