We must not underestimate the importance of this obligation. Prayer is addressed directly and indirectly in the Qur'an over 100 times. It is the second pillar of our religion, and it has been agreed upon that one must pray the obligatory 5 prayers each day in order to be Muslim.
The importance of prayer is demonstrated in the many of the Prophet’s statement. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503.
It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) stated that:
"The covenant (which distinguished) between us and them is Prayer, so whoever abandoned it committed an act of disbelief."
It is also reported that a man asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), "What is the best deed?" The Prophet replied, "Prayer, when it is time."