Would mechanical repetition of a mantra have effect?

Question

There are two points of view re. prayer or mantra japa. 1) Doesn't matter if you don't concentrate or have faith, as long as you do it, you prayers will be answered 2) It is important to have faith, emotion or concentration in prayer, otherwise it won't have any effect. Which is true? I am asking because mostly my mind wanders away from prayer and I end up doing japa mechanically, even though I want to pray for my child's health and happiness...how important is it to concentrate?

Answer 1

I don't know what mantra japa is, but prayer is like a phone call - what's really important is WHO is on the receiving side.  God expects us to talk to Him like a Father.  When you called your dad while in college, asking for some money, was there alot of mechanical repetition involved?