SOUNDBYTES...
bottomline: For thousands of years people have used prayer and meditation to connect and heal body, mind and spirit. However, in our modern industrialized culture these practices were lost to a large segment of the population. Numerous scientific studies have now proven the effectiveness of prayer and meditation and as a result, many people (including medical doctors and even some hospitals) are now incorporating these practices into their routines.
don't: miss out because you don't know how or have tried, with no success.
do: learn a method that works for you and practice it regularly. There are a variety to choose from. Explore, try a few. Read below to get started.

If you are just beginning to meditate, find a method you like and give it a chance by sticking with it. For best results commit to an interval of 40, 90 or 180 days - and do it every single one of those days! If you have been meditating for awhile and are not satisfied with the results, try something new.

If you shy away from prayer and meditation because of religious associations, don't let this stop you. Prayer and meditation are about connecting with your higher self, your soul, your spirit or whatever name you choose to use. There are many methods you can practice that do not have any religious associations. You can even make up your own. What you do is not as important as doing it.

Personal Note: I have studied and practiced an array of different styles of prayer and meditation over the years, drawing from an eclectic assortment of philosophies and traditions. I have found using different methods at different times during my life has been beneficial and have developed an intuitive sense for what I need at a particular time.

FOLLOWING ARE...
three of my favorites:

1 ~ the Unity Prayer Hotline 1-800-669-7729, has had continuous prayer for over 100 years. Call and someone will pray with you on the phone, then your prayer will go to the prayer chapel for 30 days.
2 ~ the powerful meditations from the teachings of Yogi Bhajan (maker of Peace Cereal, Yogi Teas, etc.) incorporating yogic breathing techniques and/or mantra (see Breathe).
3 ~ the healing meditations and techniques of Lewis Bostwick (one is described below). When practiced regularly it will calm, focus and heal your body, mind and spirit.

DETAILS, DETAILS...
One of my favorite visualization meditations...
grounding
meditation

Step 1 ~ Set aside a few moments for yourself with no interruptions. Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground, spine straight, hands resting in your lap with palms face up. Close your eyes and bring your attention to the center of your head. Take a couple deep, relaxing breaths into your belly, bringing your attention into the present moment.
Step 2 ~ Imagine there is a cord or tube (or whatever works for you) that extends from the base of your spine down through the chair, through the floor, through the foundation of the building, and down into the earth. It keeps going - dropping down, down, down with now effort - until finally it reaches the center of the earth where it plugs in, anchoring itself to the heart of Mother Earth. This is called your grounding cord. Feel yourself now firmly grounded to the center of the earth.
Step 3 ~ Next visualize that anything that isn't you - any thought, problem, pain, dis-ease, difficult person, etc., - any energy that isn't you, becomes very heavy. It all becomes so heavy that it now drops effortlessly away from your mind, body, and surrounding energy field. It drops down through your grounding cord. It keeps dropping until it reaches the center of the earth and dissipates back to where it came.
Step 4 ~ Continue this visualization for a few minutes (10 minutes is good to start, working up to 20-30 minutes). Visualizing is challenging for some people. If so, just relax and affirm the intention of grounding your energy. You don't have to continually visualize once you've established your grounding cord (sometimes I fall asleep!).
Step 5 ~ When you feel you are done or your time is up, imagine there is a giant golden sun over the top of your head. It is vibrant and glowing. Call back all your energy from every time and space into that golden sun. Like a magnet it attracts back all your personal radiant energy and collects it, becoming even brighter and pulsing with energy.
Step 6 ~ When you visualize or feel that the golden sun is full, crack it open like an egg and pull its vibrant, rejuvenating energy down in through the top of your head. Let it flow into your body, down through your neck, across your chest and shoulders, down your arms to the tips of your fingers.
Step 7 ~ Now let it swirl around your heart center, clearing and warming this area. Then continue down swirling around your abdominal area to your pelvis and sex organs, down your thighs to your calves, all the way down to your tippy toes.
Step 8 ~ Feel this warm, glowing energy pulsing throughout your body. Feel it nourishing every cell and all areas that are in need of special attention. Then imagine that this pure, healing energy bursts forth from every cell of your body and surrounds you with a golden light of protective energy. Fill yourself up with a couple golden suns.
Step 9 ~ Finish by bending forward at the waste and touch your palms to the floor, allowing your head to drop dumping off any excess energy that may have collected at the top of your head.
Step 10 ~ Take a deep breath into your belly, feel refreshed, energized and...