@BlueSkyKing Nothing you've said in giving the dictionary definition of prayer is necessarily false. And I've already admitted that some of it rings very true.
But the dictionary is not there to tell me what things ARE. It is there to tell me how things are DEFINED... ie. what people mean when they use these words in speech.
The mistake you are making is in assuming that the dictionary sufficiently describes what prayer IS. As it exists as a human practice in the world.
@BlueSkyKing I would never resort to anecdotes to begin with. Anecdotes are unreliable. If someone ever asked me why should they pray, I would never offer an anecdote like "such and such had their prayers answered and their wishes fulfilled when they prayed."
I would say that prayer is not about results, it's about action. And that, as one becomes freer from this world, action and results become increasingly separated.
How would I test prayer? I wouldn't. But in the name of intellectual honesty, nor would I make the claim that prayer guarantees (or even affects) any result.
I would say that prayer is important because it could potentially be of great good if a person honestly looks at and respects their place in the universe. Prayer is a higher kind of communication thinking than that which is purely focused on personal welfare and advancement. Although, I will also admit that (sometimes, maybe even most of the time) egoistic thinking may be considered wise.
But just because it is wise SOMETIMES, doesn't mean it is wise ALL THE TIME.
