Prayer is a privilege and a joy, not a duty. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:16) "But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all." (James 1:6)
Please pray honestly, not religiously, do not use formulas or special words. Pray your heart. God is real. You be real, too. Pray unselfishly for others, not just for yourself and your own family. The love you have for others will be returned to you. We must pray according to God's will, not our own. Let Him guide your prayers and let His will be done, not your own. He is the one with ALL the facts.
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receive, and he who seeks find, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Luke 11:9-10)
"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2)