While teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus helps them to understand that prayers are not incantations.

An incantation is a sequence of words designed to bring about a magical effect.  Those who believe in magic suppose that saying the proper sequence of words (perhaps adding to them the proper setting or timing) will produce some effect.  As an example, think of Mickey Mouse in Fantasia as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  He said the right sequence of words to make a broom carry water for him magically but did not know the incantation that functioned as an off switch.

Some people believe that praying works something like this.  Say the right words, they suppose, and God will be moved to do what you want him to do.  Or, say the right words with the right fervor and with enough repetition and God will respond.  Prayer, in this case, boils down to manipulating the indifferent God.

By contrast, Christians believe that God is always more ready to act on our behalf than we are to pray.  True prayer is a response to God’s initiative toward us.  An active prayer life does not seek to manipulate God.  Instead, a life shaped by daily prayer finds itself in synch with God’s loving desire for us.