What is the ruling on one who abandons prayer?

Whoever abandons prayer, denying its obligation, has committed disbelief according to the consensus of Muslims. He is asked to repent, and if he repents, then well and good; otherwise, he is killed as an apostate. As for whoever abandons it out of laziness and negligence, while acknowledging its obligation, he is also asked to repent. If he repents, then well and good; otherwise, he is killed. The preponderant view, based on evidence, is that he is a disbeliever, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Between a man and polytheism and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer," and his saying: "There is nothing between a servant and disbelief except the abandonment of prayer."