In his recollection message this evening, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales said prayer is telling God you want Him to be part of your day. No more, no less. And telling Him that you're having difficulty or you're having a bad day--that, too, is praying.
In other words, it's having a personal relationship with Him. But because as Catholics, we grew up reciting set prayers, we often find it difficult to break out from this lifelong habit. We constantly need to be reminded what true prayer is.
I remember one sermon where the priest described how one parishioner prayed: he devoted each weekday to fulfilling each step so that Monday is for Adoration, Tuesday for Love, and so on. Not that each day is spent on his knees but that each step of prayer was incorporated into his daily thoughts and activities so that his day was one unceasing prayer.
What better time to find that quiet space within us to reflect on the true meaning of prayer than this holy week.