The historical reason it promotes prayer is that Christianity was modelled after mystery cults that were popular in Roman times. As a selling point, these cults would often claim their pet god would do things for you. You also have prayer begging for God to intercede on one's behalf in Judaism, but it's nowhere near as obnoxious as what is described in the New Testament.
Judaism is more like: "Knock... and MAYBE... if God is in a good mood, it will be opened. But probably not." Jews I've communicated to about this site gratitude as the primary motivation for prayer. I'm not sure if this is true, or that's what they said because it sounds good.
Judaism is more like: "Knock... and MAYBE... if God is in a good mood, it will be opened. But probably not." Jews I've communicated to about this site gratitude as the primary motivation for prayer. I'm not sure if this is true, or that's what they said because it sounds good.