We are to take God's Word like medicine.

Proverbs 4:20-23

My son, attend to my words; 
incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes; 
keep them in the midst of thine heart.
For they are life unto those that find them, 
and health/medicine to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; 
for out of it are the issues of life.

Meditate on them as much as possible. The more we let them fill our heart, the more faith will grow and the more effective our prayers will be.

Prayer is neither magical or mechanical. It's an important part of our relationship with God. It's not positive thinking or mind-over matter.

Faith is all about believing God and what He says in His Word.