For me, prayer is seldom a matter of bowing my head in a quiet place (though that's nice when it happens). I don't believe there is a "right" way or place for prayer; God is bigger than any one denomination. Nor am I comfortable with a concept of prayer that petitions God to give me something or do something for me, like help me win a game or get a job. God is bigger than an in-box for petitions.
When I reflect on the numerous challenges in the world, I try to consider what God is. I ask myself sometimes: If God is not a person, why do I speak of God as human? God, as I understand the concept, doesn't "listen to," or "love," or "direct" me in some mysterious way, at least not in a vague anthropomorphic (human-like) way. If God is always present, then the concept of praying to God "out there" would suggest that I can stand apart from God. The reality is that God is as near as my next thought.
To me, God is the very essence of love, kindness, intelligence, purity, and goodness. These qualities are nonphysical and universal. They can be seen in the lives of human beings everywhere. But traits such as hatred and fear can cloud these good qualities. When I pray for the world, I think of good, spiritual qualities, and I try to remember that they are the true identity of everyone.
