Is there any better way to draw near to God than prayer?

Someone asked, "Is there any better way to draw near to God than prayer?"

He answered, "More prayer, but not just the prayer of outer form - that is just the 'body' of prayer, because it has a beginning and an end. Anything that has a beginning and an end is a 'body'. Witnessing the greatness of God (Allahu Akbar) is the beginning of the formal prayer and the greeting of peace is its end (Assalaamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh). Likewise, there is more to the profession of faith than what is uttered with the tongue, because it, too, has a beginning and an end. Anything that can be expressed in words and has a beginning and an end is a 'form', a 'body', its 'body', however, is formless and infinite, without beginning or end.

"Anyway, prayer as we know it was brought into form by the prophets. Now the Prophet Muhammad, who gave form to prayer, said, 'I have a "moment" with God during which there is no room for either message-bearing prophet or angel close to God to enter with me."

We know then that the 'soul' of prayer is not only the outer form but also a state of complete absorption and unconsciousness during which all these external forms, for which there is no room, remain outside. In that state there is no place even for Gabriel, who is pure consciousness."

(The Rumi Daybook. Translated by Kabir and Camille Helminski. Shambala Publication, 2012. p.14)