What is PRAYER to you?

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre? - Corrie Ten Boom

STEER is defined on www.dictionary.com as:

1.to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc.: to steer a bicycle.
2.to follow or pursue (a particular course).
3.to direct the course of; guide: I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.

and SPARE in this quote is defined as:

kept in reserve, as for possible use: a spare part.

How many times have I viewed prayer just as a SPARE tyre - kept in reserve for possible (rather than necessary) use.

How many times have I neglected the fact that prayer can STEER (i.e. guide) me in the right direction?

Is prayer a STEERING WHEEL or SPARE TYRE in your life?