I think this is an important issue also newgeorge.

In my perspective what you are talking about is not prayer per se but worship.

Worship is the all encompassing word that, for me, covers all those things that we do to the glory of God and in fellowship with Him.

So ministry, preaching, prayer, giving, etc... these are all part of that thing called worship.

In this respect worship is like prayer in that it is an offering to God and in that it seeks communion with God. But it is unlike prayer in that things like giving (which aren't technically prayer) which don't involve a direct conversation with God, are also included.

Blessings
Cat.