Yusef reminds us that the “state” we are in when praying or meditating or performing spiritual exercises is what allows us to transcend our humanness and our thinking mind to be in a true state of Universal thought, or the Mind of God.  Setting aside our human thinking seems to be the most important action to take.  It is then that we can be open to a connection to God.

YUSEF:

It is only through transcending the human mind that real communication, communion with All That Is, takes place.  The [thinking] mind is helpful for so many things on the Earth, but it is not helpful or useful in this.  The [thinking] mind tells the stories of Earth.  Beyond this mind is another story.

There is a difference in simply being in the moment as you say, and being open in your Spirit-self to commune.  This is intentional.  It is a setting aside of the humanness to communicate beyond the mind.  And yet there is also an unintentional openness that allows a breakthrough from the Heavens to Earth.

What you refer to as prayer could well be called openness.  This is very beneficial, to be in this state, whatever form it may take.  It is the STATE that allows the communication.