Like many things we do from habit, our prayers can be mechanical, following a pattern rather than from the heart. For example, if we say, "Lord, we pray for the government, we pray for those in authority, etc.," without even mentioning what we are praying for them, aren't we just following a pattern without meaning, even if we are apparently trying to follow scriptural instructions (1Tim.2:1,2). If we have a long 'prayer-list' and our goal is to go through it fully, what have we finally accomplished except feeling good that we have done it again?
Another common misunderstanding we have is that the longer time we spend in prayer, it will add virtue to us. Have you heard someone teaching, "Before every sermon you deliver, there must be at least of two hours of prayer"? Of course, we cannot be effective in any ministry that we do, without a prayerful dependence on God. But is it about the time we spend in prayer? Is there any special merit in having an all-night-prayer, especially when it is actually filled with songs and messages? Do we imagine that God can be influenced by showing Him how much sacrifice we are making in terms of time? Praying without ceasing is not about endless praying, which is not practically possible, but about not giving up (1Th.5:17).
Jesus has certainly said that when two people 'agree' concerning something they ask God for, they will receive it (Mt.18:19). But does this happen mechanically if we get a crowd together and pray?
Prayer is essentially a request we make to God (Php.4:6). It cannot be a demand on God or a way to pressurise God based on our thinking that we have met certain conditions such as how much faith we have, how long we are praying for something, how many people are praying, etc. Of course, we must pray in faith, trusting in our Father who loves us and who is eagerly taking care of us, wanting to answer our prayers even before we put them into words (Is.65:24). We must know that every plan He has for us is for our welfare (Je.29:11). We must also trust Him to make the right decision concerning our prayers, knowing that His plans are far better than ours.
Another thing to understand is that God pays more attention to the prayer that is coming from a righteous and upright heart (Jas.5:16). Even if we make prayers in public with impressive words, God will not even listen if we are hiding sin in our heart (Ps.66:18). He is also compassionate to listen to prayers coming from a broken heart crying out in need (Ps.51:17). Because of this He may at times answer the prayers from helpless people even if they are not yet His children.
When prayer comes out from our heart as a cry, moved with a burden, it won't miss God's attention. The more we recognise our total dependence on God for even the small things we need to do, the more we will pray. Then it becomes another form of praying without ceasing because prayer becomes a part of our attitude itself. It is no longer mechanical.