The Matter Of Prayer, How, Why, When, to what Degree? Options

So, lately I have been changing the way that I pray, according to the program, which I've been rather verbose about lately, namely Lisiewski books and attendant material. This has given me some difficulty, because I am not used to praying as he suggests - particularly speaking, out-loud. My periods of prayer in the past have been more contemplative, considering and turning my attention to the qualities of the Divine, seeking out in my own experience and sensibility, the expressions of the Divine around me, and expressing in a purely emotional manner my feelings for that Divinity.

When I perform various ritual prayers, either written by myself or drawn from the Psalms, Dr. Dee's prayers, Thelemic orations, etc., I don't feel any kind of exaltation during the prayer itself - with very few exceptions. It makes me wonder, am I praying wrong, or am I just used to praying a different way. Moreover, is my previous method of prayer - this somewhat direct internalized approach - somehow less effective, or effective in a different way?

Now, I have developed a strong connection to my experience of God through my own version of prayer. I want to try and develope this other practice because I want to know if there is a difference experientially. For those that have been praying this way for a long time, is it something that developed for you after a while? What does it mean to 'enflame thyself with prayer'? It is experientially different than the feelings and experience I have when praying 'directly' as I am used to? (more a question for myself there). In these spoken prayers, I'm seeing examples that involve asking for wisdom, forgiveness, guidance, etc. In my own version, I'm used to simply focusing on the immense presence, power, and glory of the Divine experience and expression, rather than asking for anything. Thus far, those things seem to deliver themselves as I need them - even to the point that by the time I got frustrated with my current level of magical development, I was introduced to Lisiewski's work, which has helped me progress. Other examples are scattered throughout my life. Not that I think it's wrong to ask the Divine for such things, but this sudden focus on doing that as a regular practice is kind of putting me off on some level.

Any suggestions, thoughts, or experiences to share with prayer in general, regardless of tradition, and how one involves themselves in it? In addition to the questions given above, for consideration and discussion?

peace

Huxley says in his Perennial Philosophy that prayer, "is applied to at least four distinct procedures--petition, intercession, adoration, contemplation. Petition is asking something for ourselves. Intercession is the asking of something for other people. Adoration is the use of intellect, feeling, will, and imagination in making acts of devotion directed toward God in its personal aspect or as incarnated form. Contemplation is that condition of alert passivity in which the soul lays itself open to the Divine Ground within and without, the immanent and transcendent Godhead."

I think the Theurgist, Magician, whatever, is more or less concerned with the last two definitions, having found petition and intercession a selfish waste of time.

Interestingly enough I have recently started to pray. Having abandoned the practice years ago. I've been studying the mystics and saints of the western tradition, Sufis and Christians like Shams, Rumi, Ekheart and William Law. I suddenly found myself compelled to simplify my practice. No rituals. No ornate pomp. Just simple zazen, and prayer. Nice coincidence to see this post. I try for complete openess, and flow of consciousness, I usually hit a stride and I can feel it working.