Food for the Soul
The Cuzari writes that the ברכה one gains from Tefillah continues until the following time of Tefillah, just as the strength gained by a meal continues until the following meal. Throughout the day, the Neshama becomes weaker and weaker because of its encounters with worldly and material matters. At the time of Tefillah, however, the Neshama is cleansed of all that transpired and is able to regain its strength (Cuzari 3:5). We see that the emotions and the ideas that one gains through his tefillah are not merely beneficial but rather essential for his Neshama, for they provide it with sustenance and strength to continue on in this world.
