“Prayer is not an incantation. It is the voice of God, bringing the most important meaning of life to us amidst the noise of the sea of life, and it is our own words to the Lord—repentant, grateful, or laudatory. We pass every word of the prayers through our own hearts. This is one of the most important steps for regaining our lost connection with God; for if the Church ceases to pray, it ceases to be the Church.”
(Vladimir Basenkov in orthochristian.com)