How Important is Prayer?

How important is prayer in the life of a believer? Prayer is like having a very close friend that no matter how uncomfortable the situation you can talk to them about it. That is the relationship I am finding out about God and I. No matter what I can talk to my Heavenly Father about it and will not be put shame or feel like I have done something terribly wrong. With God as my closest friend sin does not have a hold of me. Jesus has freed me from the curse of the law and that curse has with it shame and embarrasement. Thank God thru Christ for the Blood that washes away all sin.