Praying is a blending of mind and heart energies, to bring some spiritual effect to life. When we are contemplating our notion of God in an effort to achieve alignment with His nature we are praying. Prayer is asking for guidance and mercy, for goodness and light. Whether we use the traditional prayers of our religious system or our own does not matter so long as we are earnest; humility and conscious effort are essential.
Nick Hilton - Reflections 