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The Torah states in creation that There was no man to work the ground
(Bereishit 2:5).
HaAmek Davar explains that there are two activities which provide reward in this world korbanot (prayer) and work.
Thus working the ground is in fact equivalent to prayer
He cites Gemara Chullin 60b as evidence: G-d desires the prayers of the righteous.
The suspense of the Chumash (terem yitzmach) leads to the revelation that the natural world is waiting for man to be created (i.e. HKBH waiting for man to pray).