Livin' On a Prayer

What's in a prayer? Is it just a ritualistic process?  Who can pray? 
I see lots of social media posts about prayer, and I also see people asking for prayers, with responses from a variety of people saying they are praying for them. I believe in what the Bible has to say about prayer, which makes me question some of the things I see on the internet and social media.
First, I believe only "saved" or "born again" people can pray to God.  The Bible says the only prayer God hears from unsaved people is the prayer of salvation.  And after that, prayer is our direct line to God.  No need to go through a priest, minister, etc.  We can communicate directly with God.
The Bible also teaches us how to pray, by giving examples, and it tells us that our prayers are not supposed to be so repetitive and ceremonial that they lose their meaning and no longer come from our hearts.  Our prayers are not to be said so others will think we are "religious" or pious.  Our prayers are to be said in private, directly from our hearts.  Some people think they can't pray because they aren't smart enough or eloquent enough, and that's just not true.  What God wants is our whole heart.  And, of course, He knows our needs before we ask, but He desires our companionship, which we give through prayer.
The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing.  Of course, if we spent all our time on our knees praying, our physical body would starve to death, and we couldn't work, etc.  I believe this means to be in tune with God at all times.  With an attitude of prayer at all times.  I try to spend devoted prayer time each day, but I also pray throughout the day as I encounter people or situations I want to pray for.  Again, I  believe God knows our heart and thoughts, and hears our prayers whether they be long and drawn out or short and sweet.
And probably none of us spends as much time in prayer as we should.  Sometimes, I catch myself worrying and fretting about something, trying to figure out what to do, and I realize I haven't even prayed about this.  I've been stressing myself without even asking God what I should do. Other times, my heart has been so heavy I simply couldn't pray, and sometimes my prayer has been "God, you know my heart."
Still other times, I believe in my heart of hearts, other people praying for us is what carries us through those exceptionally rough spots.  Prayer is our most powerful weapon and our most pleasant comfort in times of need. And it should also be our most desired joy in times of victory and celebration. 
I am so thankful that God has given us His word, and the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide us as we stumble through this life here on earth!