A prayer so I am told is when we communicate with the divine, and the opposite meditation is when we open ourselves to the Divine.
A prayer doesn't necessarily have to be words, The divine would understand it in anyway it is put foward in. Some prayers maybe dances, songs, actions, methods of life. Or a combintation of all.
Now to answer more promptly. It would depend on who it is aimed at. As with all the personifications we give the Gods some should be geared appropriately to them. Romantically poetic for Aphrodite, concise and straight to the point with Thoth. Kind of varies. But you write whatever comes to mind and heart. Although whoevers advice your follow, be patient with it and be careful of the advice you take. The gods choose you and not the other way around. Whatever way you decide in going, a greater force will likely still influence you either way. In this regard I think its comforting either direction you go, its not a question of getting there but the experience and way you get there.
As it is indeed hard to work alone, but so does working with others. I see it as we should find a balance between both or whenever its necessary to have either or.