I pray a lot.  Even before my recent revelation, I prayed several times a day.  Sometimes I prayed the same prayer over and over again.  Sometimes each prayer was different.  But they all had one thing in common: they were all about me.

If you're like me, your prayers probably sound something like this:

Lord, I need your help.

God, please let me have this.

Please, Jesus, give me what I need to get through this.

Those prayers are all fine and good, as long as you don't stop there.  I'm not trying to get all high and mighty on anyone, because I'm really not qualified to give much of anyone advice on Christianity at this point.  I'm re-learning a lot, but I have a long way to go.  But we forget quickly, particularly in our times of need when we pray the most, that our prayers are not about us.  Sure, we're encouraged to ask God for things we need.  And the Bible even states that the righteous will be given all they ask for.  But in order to truly be a good Christian, we need to remember the parts of prayers that we all too conveniently forget: we are to praise God every chance we get. 

Prayers are not intended to start and end with us asking God to give us something, or help us through a trying time, or show us a sign.  Prayers should begin and end by truly showing your thanks for what you've been given — and, if you truly believe the words of the Bible, we should also be thanking God for what we haven't been given.  As the saying goes, Grace is getting what we don't deserve.  Mercy is not getting what we do deserve.  Every breath you take, no matter the struggles involved, is a gift from God and we should all be thankful for that.

And even beyond thanks, we owe God eternal worship.  His name is to be praised at all times in all ways, and that especially includes times of prayer.  Prayers are your one-on-one time of worship with God.  It's a connection from Maker to sinner.

Jesus gave his disciples what is now known as the Lord's Prayer.  Think of it as a blueprint for what a good, all-encompassing prayer should sound like.  If you really feel like you aren't "good at prayer" then simply recite it verbatim.  Just make sure you understand the meaning behind the words.

Below is the text from Matthew 6:9-13, which is the original text of the prayer.  My thoughts are in italics following each verse. 

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
God's name is above all names, and we are to recognize that there is no one above Him.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
One of the key aspects of Christianity is the acceptance that God's will, not our will, is what ultimately shall come to pass.  This seems to contradict the concept of free will, but perhaps I'll write more on that some day when I figure it all out myself.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.
God is our sole provider.  He will not put us into situations we cannot handle, but we must be willing to accept that all good gifts are from Him and Him alone.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
God will forgive our sins as long as we are sincere in our intentions to seek his forgiveness.  We must approach him with a clean heart, and that means forgiving those who have wronged us.  Asking for forgiveness with a heart that is still vengeful toward your fellow man is not pleasing to God.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
God will protect us from Satan's temptation and guide us along the path of righteousness.  He is ruler of all, omnipotent and worthy of all the praise we can give him.  Not only is He worth of it, He demands it of us as Christians.  It is our duty as believers to constantly reaffirm our faith in Him.

It is okay, and perfectly normal, to include personal requests in our prayers.  And God will answer them in His time and in His own way.  We just need to remember to approach him in prayer reverently and humbly, with an open heart and a desire to be closer to Him.  Then, and only then, are we praying as true Christians.