We seem as a culture to understand the benefits, but are not quite sure how one should begin to pray. Prayers we learned to recite and memorize as children as part of an organized religion feel hollow in many cases, and we wonder if there s more. In effect, there is more, but it is mostly less. Less than memorized prayer or recited rituals, but more in getting us in contact with the divine part of the spirit world. That is, the best prayer comes from the human heart, out of a relationship of love and caring.
Prayer is love talking and love listening.
More which is beyond us, our Higher Power, our God. The simplest way to pray, spiritual guides of every faith tell us, is simply to quiet ourselves, open our minds and listen. In all human communication listening seems to take short shrift. Most of us are good at talking, making our point, listing our agenda and conveying our thoughts. Very few of us are good listeners.