What is the ruling on habitually being late for one or two rak'ahs without intending to be?

Whoever delays from prayer misses the virtue of the opening takbeer (takbeerat al-ihram (definition)) and deprives himself of great good. However, he still attains the virtue of the congregation by completing the opening takbeer before the Imam's salutation. Among what has been reported regarding the virtue of attaining the opening takbeer is the hadith (definition) of Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever prays to Allah for forty days in congregation, catching the first takbeer, two immunities will be written for him: an immunity from the Fire and an immunity from hypocrisy."