Although some may think it was an effective ritual, it only gave extra vitality to faith through physical presence and action. If you are very ill, you appreciate the visitor who assures you that he will be praying for you. You value it more if he prays for you while in your presence. It becomes more meaningful if he touches you or holds your hand while praying. And strength is added in proportion to the number of persons involved.
Faith is bolstered by physical presence.
Fasting, though not a ceremony commending special grace, might add a dimension of assurance to prayer. You may try this for yourself. When you have a truly deep concern to pray about, try fasting for a time and see if your faith is not reinforced. No posture for prayer is prescribed in the Scriptures. A person may bow, kneel, or lift up hands, using the posture that would make his prayer seem more real.