Prayer - the definition.

Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God 
or the requesting of good things from God.

That is how the Catechism of the Catholic Church begins its section on Christian Prayer. It covers all of the basics - and it spans everything from the beginnings of little children (or other beginners in prayer) to the highest contemplation of those closest to the Lord. This definition can be applied to simple vocal prayer - well done - to the prayer of silence, to meditation, to infused contemplation. Every single method or means of prayer is simply the raising of one's mind and heart to the good God or the requesting of good things from him.

Simple - oh yes; but simple does not usually mean easy.

The big secret of prayer is that, really, it is God's work. He calls us to pray and is really happy when we respond to his call. He wants us to ask him for good things and is eager to grant any good request we make. He wants to speak with us, to spend time with us. So when we address him, he is listening. Prayer is his gift. We have the choice whether or not to receive it.

And so, to the basics.