Final answer:
The Bible encourages prayer for Christians as it is a means of communication with God and helps to bond the faith community together. It emphasizes both personal piety and the communal aspect of shared beliefs and practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bible presents prayer as an essential practice for Christians for several reasons. Prayer is a way for believers to communicate with God, expressing their faith and dependence on Him. It also serves as a means to strengthen the communal identity among Christians, as shared beliefs and practices, such as prayer, create a bond between individuals who might otherwise be strangers. The act of prayer reflects not just personal piety but also an awareness of the needs of others. This communal aspect is evident in the early Christian customs that prioritized gatherings for worship, communal feasting, and addressing one another as 'brother' and 'sister'. Much like how the muslim practice of praying five times a day facing Mecca builds a strong sense of community, Christian prayer helps to unify the followers of Christ across different communities.