What is prayer?

I am new to prayer. I always thought prayer was asking for something from God. And because I don't believe God is the mythic bearded man in the clouds, I never called the power God. I thought prayer happened when someone needed something. It seems I am growing and learning by leaps and bounds! My expressions of gratitude to the universe for what I have are now my prayers. I understand it to be the same thing. I thank the universe for the things and situations I have and I thank them for what I don't have. I now know that I am praying. It's an awesome way to allow the universe to carry some of my load sometimes.