Pausing In Prayer

This praying buisness is a lot like sex; some people do it lots, others when they fancy. And of course some not at all. Im in touch with my spiritual side so I mutter a prayer most mornings, albeit through the parched relics of the night before. But what exactly am I doing? Does prayer mean that whilst praying I have a direct line to the Almighty? Or is it merely something I say to 'prepare' myself for the day ahead? A little motivational shunt?
The more I think about it the more questions crop up. You see by asking God to relieve me of some kind of ailment or trouble I keep having to re-live that problem. For example if I had lived through a bad stage in life and craved solace in prayer then I would have to go over that stage each time I put my hands together.
Or are troubles really lifted, or made easier to carry? I think I know the real answer because many of my personal calamities have been soothed away by passing it to more capable and mightier hands but at this moment I feel need to question things.
Even if we were talking to nobody I still think its a good idea to pray. As Ive said it sets you in motion for the rest of the day, helps get priorities in order and think about whats important in life. There's no harm in it and for those who say getting on ones knees is subserviant behaviour (I pray in the bathroom by the way) then I only have one thing to say; if there IS a God you had better be subserviant to Him/Her.
People with no faith in anything beyond the nail tend to mock those who do, and this is fine with me. Afterall they are as much in the dark with regards to the Big Plan as the believers and everyone is FREE to think how they wish. However as with everything else in life I am straying off the path.
I pray not to get into Heaven or whatever its called; I just want a little guidance for the bits of my spirit which have gone astray. And in some ways I use it like I use alcohol.
As for having answers to my post drinking ramblings well its up to me to find them. Im not asking for solutions, just a guiding light or pint of beer to follow when times are rough and I need something stronger than me. I have experienced first hand the workings of God so I know im not talking to myself when I pray. But its personal so I prefer not to preach it from the chimneys and I don't understand those who do.
I will wrap this up here because im beginning to sound like the type of praying lunatics that I have no grain for but yes, I do seek a good path and a little prayer and a lot of beer helps the sand not get in my jeans.