Abraham is a great person to observe when it comes to prayer. On one occasion he built an altar before calling on God.

The Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants.” Then Abram built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.  After that, he moved on south to the hill country east of the city of Bethel and set up his camp between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There also he built an altar and worshiped the Lord. – Genesis 12:7-8 GNT

Abraham built an altar everytime he was obedient in listening to God and going where He called Him to go. Abraham knew who was blessing Him.

Here is what I am praying about, reflecting and asking myself:

Do I enjoy the mercy and love of God for me? In following the Lord, do I feel safe in Him? In times of pain, suffering and anxiety, do I put my total trust in the Lord? When tired, down and confused, do I find rest and peace in His loving heart? Do I trust the Lord at all times? Do I love the Lord at all times. Here is what He calls me to do and the outcome of the type of prayer that makes our relationship different. Jesus starts the prayer and then invites me into the secret of how it works.

At that time Jesus said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.  Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen.

“My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

 “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.  For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” – Matthew 11:25-30 GNT

Nehemiah’s risk in prayer was very similar to that of Esther. His request to the king was considerable, yet he considered that God had put him in this situation “for such a time as this.”

Listen now to my prayer and to the prayers of all your other servants who want to honour you. Give me success today and make the emperor merciful to me.” In those days I was the emperor’s wine steward. – Nehemiah 1:11 GNT

Yes, [Acts 2] was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But we all get that now, and it is unconscious, we are not aware of it, it happens to us the moment we believe and we are regenerated. It is just that act of God which incorporates us into the Body of Christ. That is the baptism of the Spirit. So it is no use your praying for some other baptism of the Spirit, or asking God to pour out His Spirit upon the church. . . . It is not surprising that, as that kind of preaching has gained currency, people have stopped praying for revival.” – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones