Why do I pray?

Somebody asked me this question recently... maybe two or three months ago... and I couldn't find the right answer. It was the strangest thing, since I've been doing this God thing for awhile and since prayer is considered such a basic aspect... but I couldn't find the words. The right words. Everything I thought of sounded so typical "christian" or "churchy" and I couldn't find it in myself to give the answers they tell you in Sunday school. I also couldn't think of one particular outstanding story... where I prayed some prayer and lighting flashed and some blind dude was healed. Of course I like to think those things can happen, but then I remember it was Jesus who did that. (Except maybe the lighting part- that's not recorded in the historical records.)

I woke up this morning thinking about one of my close friends, whose life seems to be in an uproar right now. I found myself wishing I had magical words that I could pray, to make the situation change today. But somehow I know, deep down, I don't have magical powers. But yet still, I pray. I wondered again, why. I suppose that the most authentic answer I can give, is that I pray because I am curious. Bottom line. I believe there is a God. I believe He is real. I also believe that He can hear us and see us. And because I believe these things, I pray... I know that He performs miracles, I know He is still alive, I know that He... moves. And although I can't for the life of me "figure Him out" or know Him so well that I can "predict" His response... I also believe He cares. And this is the only thing that gives me hope and drives me to keep talking to Him through prayer.

In conclusion, my final answer (for now) is... I pray because I believe the God of all creation, of the universe, cares and because I am curious. Now I am going to tell Him that.