Why Praying Annoys Me

That's really not it at all. I can understand why you might think that, and some people might honestly get it wrong and treat it that way.

You do have a slight point on the first point actually. If we're able to do something about a situation, indeed we are supposed to do it. However praying for guidance or strength or God to help us in that situation isn't wrong. It's good and wise actually. Sometimes though we can't do anything or God actually wants us to step back and let Him work. Staying in relationship with Him is how you develop such discernment, and prayer is part of that.

Prayer isn't just asking for things either. God wants us to ask Him for things that's true. He's like any Father who delights in His children trusting Him and asking for help. He knows any situation better than we ever could and He can provide better than any human as well. However, there's much more to prayer than that. We should be thanking Him all the time for His blessings and gifts. We should be praising Him. We can and should simply talk to Him. We can go to Him to vent, to sort through fears, to think, anything at all really. He is our Loving Father after all.

As for praying for others...well we honestly can't know all the details of how God works. However, we know that He commands us to pray and prayer is effective. That doesn't mean we always get what we ask for; God often says "no" or "not yet." However, prayer always has effect...it affects the one praying, it can help drive demons away, it invites God's Will into a situation. Remember Jesus Himself prayed a specific prayer three times but always ended with "Your Will be done."

I hope this helps