Prayer is an important part of your life as a Christian, and as a Pastor I have lived in prayer. Great things cannot happen for you if you do not pray. 1 Thessalonians 5.17 (KJV) suggests that we pray continually. While it is ok to pray for five minutes sometimes, other times, you would need to pray for up to a week. When you have a major need you would need to go beyond simply making a few seconds request but go on your knees and tarry in prayer. God says in Jeremiah 33.3 (KV) that we should ask God anything we need and he will provide it.