This week we start the third book of the Torah, the book of Vayikra, which focuses a lot on the Temple and the offerings brought there.
In Hebrew the word for Offering is "Korban." Korban comes from the root word Karov, closeness. Indeed, this is what a Korban is all about, it is a way of "drawing close" to G-d.
Our sages say that today, when we do not have the Holy Temple and its service of Korbanot, we draw close through prayer. Prayer is not only about asking G-d for our needs, but much more than that, it offers us an opportunity to draw close to G-d. To give voice and expression to our soul's deep yearning to be close with the Al-mighty.