What do you do when you feel your prayers are dry, that feeling that you don’t know how to pray properly?
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Rom_8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
When you pray you can offer your heart to God and ask for wisdom and understanding.In a way we approach God as a small child would approach his father. The father understands the limited knowledge of the child.
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Thank you, I hadn’t really thought of it that way, and you’re right.
I have found that reading a psalm often turns into prayer without me even realizing it.
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May I suggest purchassing (or borrowing) a copy of Eugene H. Peterson’s book “Answering God” and at least read the introduction. In it, Peterson lays out a compelling argument for how the Psalms teach believers genuine, sincere, and Truly Spiritual prayer, and suggests how to use them for their instructional benefit. The Introduction is a masterwork, in my estimation, and I’m sure you would find the answer to your question there.
Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer
Eugene H. Peterson
Format 160 pages, Paperback
Published April 26, 1991 by HarperOne
ISBN 9780060665128 (ISBN10: 0060665122)
ASIN 0060665122
Language English
KP
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When I feel like this, I like to turn to “pre-written” prayers; something Christians have used for centuries. This could be be a Psalm, The Our Father, or maybe something from the Valley of Vision or the Book of Common Prayer or something along those lines.
I find that reading the words, going through the motions, even if I’m not initially “feeling” it, often allows my mind and spirit to follow and catch up to what my body is doing reading the words. I also find other physical prompts helpful, such as lighting a candle, kneeling, or raising my hands, or using worship music.
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What is ‘ proper ‘ prayer?
There are many types of prayer and they all fulfill a function or purpose.
Pray according to ones knowledge. Prayer should be intelligent and not jusy, “ Oh God, bless so and so ! “
If one doesn’t know whats happening pray according to what one knows and what ones imagination/thought leads one to think.
Two last things.
God whats us to pray.
His indewlling Spirit can and will interpret our feelings when we don't lnow what to say.
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Just say what’s on your heart. God sees you and He will hear your prayers! 
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For one, I have strived to take Jesus command literally when He said “Pray in this manner”(Matthew 6:9-13). Not simply repeating the words of the prayer, but contemplating each line, and the Holy Spirit brings to remembrance different scriptures that go with each stanza, as well as supplications to add.
Second, The late Bible teacher Derek Prince said he always prayed with his Bible open. I have found this to be great advice.
Lastly, remember “A.C.T.S.” Adoration. Confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication, as a pattern of prayer. An old saint I know would say “Pray till you have prayed”. Blessings
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When you were a kid, did you have a friend with whom you shared everything? Highs, lows, good, bad, everything. Why did you share everything with them so freely? You trusted them.
Jesus has provided you with a guide to use for prayer, found in Matthew 6
“Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
‘Give us this day our daily bread.
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”]
We call this The Lord’s Prayer, but it is not something you repeat; it is the form you use for prayer,
I have often thought that something was missing, but that could be a matter of timing.
Consider adding, “For it is in the name of Jesus we pray.”
Speak from your heart and you will notice the change,
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