On the need to pray

Why do we humans pray to God for things that we need?
Personally, it has been years since I begged God for help.. I believe that He knows best, He gives us what we deserve, and He withholds what we don't yet deserve, perhaps we need to put in more work & patience.
So what is the point of prayer if I refuse to ask God for anything? Perhaps I pray to just give thanks for whatever I have. And I pray for strength to deal with problems. And I pray for more patience, and a calmer mind, a stronger heart, and for a bit of luck in life. Most of the times, I pray without reason, it is just me saying Hi to my conscience, to the silent God...
Sometimes in desperate situations, like when my dear ones are ill, I pray for their good health, I want their happiness, so I ask God to please reduce their suffering.
Sometimes when someone wrongs me and I am hurt, I fret or weep, it too is a kind of prayer to God, to implore to Him to please find me the justice.
But on the prayer of asking God for things, I always wondered how un/fair that was?
If God is like our parent, probably He feels happy if we beg Him for things once in a while? :-) Perhaps He will feel more wanted? :-) And perhaps a person who refuses to ask for anything is actually suffering from a bit of ego? It's like, 'Hey God, I am not going to ask You for anything, because I know You have to give it to me anyway when I accumulate the adequate karma points'!!!! :-P
Well I have been through a crisis the last 2 days, and I actually begged God for a way out, I prayed with all humility, I gave up the analysis of 'He will give what I deserve, I do not need to ask'.. Instead, I feel at His feet like a slave, like a helpless creature, and just asked Him to show me a way out.
I was actually torn between wanting to be an atheist, or becoming an ardent devotee... I chose the latter, since it felt good to imagine that there really is somebody/thing very powerful out there which feels our heart/mind..
So here I am, the slave of God, and I can't believe, like a miracle, the problem is gone.
Those with a practical head might say that it was supposed to get solved anyway, but I prefer to believe that giving up ego & praying with all humility did it...
Thank You God for watching out for me, I have always been a good girl, and I will always want to be a good girl, but I guess sometimes, I need Your help to drive away bad  monster situations...