Praying is talking to God. You don't have to say Dear God before you pray. Just talk to him as if he is right there next to you. Infact, he is! He's everywhere. He is your heavenly father. You can talk to him as if he is your dad. You can talk to him whenever you want.

Sometimes it takes a while for God to answer your prayers. He doesn't always just answer them right away. It could take a long time. Or, it could take a very short time, like when he healed my bunny, Lucy. (For that story, go to https://hammyinthesky.tripod.com/id15.html.)

God isn't a vending machine. This is not a good prayer: Dear God, I pray that I will get that Barbie, and that lego set. And I pray that I will get Over The Hedge, and I pray that I will get that really cute shirt. Oh. And I pray that Grandpa will get better. Amen. God doesn't like those prayers. He likes a thankful heart, so thank him for what he's given you. Don't ask for more. Pray for other people. It's okay to pray for yourself, but don't focus your prayer on you. God doesn't work that way. Focus it on Him.