There is a definite, subtle power in prayer. As one of my teachers once shared, "Meditation is listening to God; prayer is speaking to God." When we as pagans pray, we speak to the spirit world or to the divine (however we perceive that sacred concept).
In my quest to build a personal relationship with the divine, I've begun praying daily. Each day I welcome the sun to a new day - and then I pray and thank the divine for the day that is unfolding and the blessings that the day promises.
Two things immediately began happening. First of all, I put myself in the right frame of mind to begin my day. It's not a matter of me moaning, "Oh, I really don't want to go to work today!" Instead, I'm acknowledging the day as a sacred gift. I'm stating that I believe there are blessings just waiting to be received. By starting my day off on a positive, thankful note, I develop a positive mindset. My closest friends have already commented on the subtle difference in my outlook.
Second, because I am acknowledging that the day is a gift, I am stating not only that I'm receiving it, but that something bigger than myself is giving me the day and the blessings it holds. The give and receive nature of the exchange implies a relationship. The divine is taking a personal interest in me, gifting me with a new day filled with potential blessings. It's a step closer to developing a relationship with the divine that I'm seeking in my own practice.
I know these steps are simple, but they're effective. As I learn, I'll share what I discover. Right now, this is where I'm at, taking simple steps forward and changing my life in small, concrete ways. While it may seem simple, it's also effective and the changes are apparent to those around me.