1. It is the pillar of the religion, which cannot stand without it
The Prophet (peace be upon him)said: "Shall I not tell you, of the head of the whole matter and it's pillar and top?" I (Mu'aadh) said yes: O Messenger of Allah. He said, "The head of the matter is Islam, it's pillar is prayer and it's top is jihad. (Tirmidhi 2616).
2. It is second in status to the shahaadatayn
It is the second in status to the shahaadatayn (twin testimony of faith) as further proof of the soundness of a person's belief and as visible evidence of the beliefs that reside in the heart.
Establishing prayer means, performing prayer in full with all it's words and actions, at the appointed time, as it says in the Qur'an:
"Verily, As-Salah (prayer) is enjoined on believers at fixed hours." (Qur'an 4:103).
3. Prayer occupies a special position among others act of worship
Prayer occupies a special position among others act of worship because of the way in which it was enjoined.
It was not brought down to earth by an angel, rather Allah Azawajal wanted to bless His messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) by taking him up to heaven and addressing directly concerning the obligation of prayer. This is something that is unique to prayer among all the rituals of Islam.
Prayer was enjoined on the night of the Mi'raaj (prophet's ascent to heaven) approximately three years before the Hijrah.
Fifty prayers (per day) were enjoined at first, then the number was reduced to five, but the reward of fifty remains. This is indicative of Allah's love of prayer and its great status.
4. Allah erases sin by means of prayer
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "What do you think if there was a river by the door of anyone of you and he bathed in it five time a day, would there be any trace of dirt would be left on him?" They said "No trace of dirt would be left on him." He said: "That is like the five daily prayers, by means of which Allah erases sin." (Bukhari 528)
5. Prayer is the last part of religion to be lost, and if it is lost the whole religion is lost
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Between a man and shirk ( associating others with Allah) and kufr (disbelief) there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim 82)
Hence the Muslim should be keen to perform the prayers on time, and not be lazy or take the matter lightly. Allah says: " So woe to those performers of Salah (prayers) (hypicrites), those who delay their salah (prayer from their stated fixed times)." (Al Qur'an 107: 4-5).
6. The prayer is the barrier between a person and sins
Allah Azawajal says: "Recite(O Muhammad (peace be upon him)what has been revealed to you of the book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoings." (Al Qur'an, 29:45)
"And person As-Salat, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night ( the five compulsory salat). Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (small sins). That is a reminder (and advice) for the mindful( those who accept advice)." ( Al Qur'an, 11:114).
And there are many more virtues, may Allah Azawajal make us of those who establish prayer on time with concentration. Amen, may Allah Azawajal make us firm on faith. Amin