DEUT289 It is a positive precept to pray every day to the Blessed God for Scripture says, and Him shall you serve [this verse]; and through the Oral Tradition our Sages of blessed memory learned (Talmud Bavli, Ta'anith 2a) that this service means prayer. For Scripture states, and to serve Him with all your heart (D'varim 11:13). What service is with the heart? -- prayer. The commandment is that a person should relate the praises of the Holy One, Blessed is He; after that he should ask his needs; and after that he has to give praise and thanks to the Blessed God. It is necessary to pray with the focused attention of the heart; one should turn his heart away from every thought, and he should see himself as though standing before the shechinah. He should not produce his prayer like someone who is carrying a burden and throws it down and goes his way. Neither should he pray with a troubled and disturbed mind.