I appear to be down on meditation and prayer, but not really. I am trying to point out what is, in my opinion, the challenge with them.
Almost everyone engages in these activities as a means of getting something... get someone, some state of mind, but whatever it is, one doing this is spending time in fruitless endevours. You are going to get, and lose, many things in your human experience: people, loves, etc. in this dream... and when it's over you can be sure that you will lose them all because they were only an appearance. How else could a dream be. If this be Truthish, then why ask. Why spend energy affirming that you don't have something by declaring at a deep level that you are want of it when it's not even your desire. (de=of the, sire=father).
In my experience, a true desire for something will automatically bring it about at some time in the illusory future. However, very few of what you think you desire are actually true desires. Almost everything you think you want is just a story churning over in your head, a story that isn't even yours. It's a meme from your schooling, family, peers, society, advertising, etc. (meme=mind virus and it's catching). You think you want things that your heart doesn't genuinely desire and then wonder why you don't get them (you are obviously a bad and undeserving person) or it takes so darn much energy (you are obviously very weak as well). And so it goes.. beating oneself up for not meeting expectations that are not even yours. Sounds a little silly, but I certainly did it once upon a time.
What if you have only one true desire... to realize your True Nature (Truth) and come to the home you never left. In my experience all other desire are pretty much insignificant.... but back to meditation and prayer. What does old Jed recommend.
Do whatever you want to do but make everything your meditation and prayer... by being as aware and conscious as you can in every possible moment. Add to that a little trust that what needs taking care of will be taken care of... not necessarily how you think it should, but always in concert with your true desire. Let what is be as it is .... a good mantra should you desire to use one.
Love ya, Jed.