Jesus digressed briefly to give a further warning about repetitious prayer ( Matthew 6:7-8) and a positive example of proper prayer ( Matthew 6:9-15). Jesus" disciples can fall into prayer practices that characterize the pagans. Jesus Himself prayed long prayers ( Luke 6:12), and He repeated Himself in prayer ( Matthew 26:44). These practices were not the objects of His criticism. He was attacking the idea that the length of a prayer makes it efficacious. Pagan prayer commonly relies on length and repetition for effectiveness, the sheer quantity of words. [source][source][source]
Jesus" disciples do not need to inform their omniscient Father of their needs in prayer. He already knows what they are. Why pray then? Jesus did not answer that question here. Essentially we pray for the same reasons children speak to their parents: to share concerns, to have fellowship, to obtain help, and to express gratitude, among other reasons. [source][source][source]