The masters have sometimes followed external disciplines including prayers and have set an example of humility and readiness to learn from others. Thus Mohammed played the role of being taught by Gabriel. He thereby achieved two things. Firstly, he gave to the world an example of readiness to learn from others; and secondly, he awakened the teacher in Gabriel. No teachers have been content with merely external disciplines. Through their teachings as well as example they have often set forth prayer as the inner approach to God and Divinity.
What constitutes the essence of prayer? Many prayers to God are current among the lovers of God, arising as they do from diverse cultural contexts. Some of the prayers invariably contain an element of asking something from God, either material or spiritual. In fact, God is so merciful and bountiful that even without their asking He always gives more than His lovers can receive. He knows their real needs more deeply than they do. Therefore the element of asking something from God is superfluous. It often mars the inner love and worship which a prayer tries to express.
– Beams, p74