"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6). We are to avail ourselves of the whole Trinity in our prayers, utilizing the power of the Spirit, the authority of the Son, to approach the Father. We often accept the lordship of Christ (which is usually exercised through the body, the church), but often fail to realize our potential and privilege to step into the Father's presence and accept His Fatherhood.
When we pray we should pray as if it all depends on God and we should live as if it all depends on us. But how many of us pray like Jesus meant us to incorporate our sonship rights and privileges to claim what is ours in Christ? Some pray to unknown deities or generic titles, not really knowing to whom they are praying ("O God..."); this sounds like they hardly know their Savior--which member of the Godhead do they mean? Any god would suffice in such a case and it is not specific enough to show our familiarity with the Godhead as we employ the proper formula for prayer: to the Father, in the name of the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Why not go to the top? The Father is the Most High and He has an open-door policy with us so that we can gain access or entree in His Son's name.
The true son of God is acquainted with the Father in prayer and utilizes the filling of the Holy Spirit to pray with power. "Pray in the Spirit," says Jude. Some believers are indeed servants of the Lord, but Jesus commanded us to pray to the Father (He doesn't give recommendations or suggestions). In the church body or assembly of believers, it is only appropriate to pray as taught and any violation is disobeying God, not just some doctrine. "...' You shall call Me, My Father.." (Jer. 3:19 NASB). I once went to a Bible camp where Pentecostals prayed to Jesus; I objected and insisted on praying to my Father in heaven. It is absolutely to pray for the salvation or sinner's prayer to the Lord Jesus, though. Remember that God is not the author of confusion, but a God of order, organization, and authority! "Let everything be done decently and in order," says Paul to the Corinthians.
Satan knows we are children of the King and tries to confuse us and derail our victory in prayer. We are "Children of the Heavenly Father," as the hymn goes. Putting on Christ means to assume our sonship and pray like a son with boldness: "Let us boldly approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). We don't have to beg God; He is more than pleased to hear our requests and petitions. This is faith, not a presumption on our part.
Note that God hears and answers all the prayers of the saints and our prayers demonstrate our relationship and familiarity with our God. A disputed verse that some "Jesus only" believers use is John 14:14 that says, "If you ask Me anything in My name I will do it." The word "Me" is not in all manuscripts and is in question, and even if it is there, it is not wrong to pray to Jesus, per se, but we should also pray to our Heavenly Father as taught on the Sermon on the Mount in obedience.
Finally, we must have the attitude that we don't need a study on prayer or a course, but just need to pray! "I don't have a theology on prayer, I just pray!" You already know enough to be a prayer warrior and this study is only how we get started in addressing God in a biblical manner. Now, in conclusion, avail yourself of your God-given rights to pray as a son and take advantage of the opportunities it affords in everyday prayer! Soli Deo Gloria!