Praying is one of the most complicated things that we do as Jews because we essentially repeat the same words over and over again and, even for those who do understand them, it can be a very unrewarding experience. In order to be able to pray with desire, intent and concentration, one must be aware of what one is actually saying. There are no easy formulas for attaining this when praying or reciting blessings. The Magen Avraham says that we must strive to achieve the best we can while praying.
I am a firm believer that one of the best ways of having satisfaction in praying is by learning about the details of what you are saying. I do not mean necessarily the meaning of the words but also the beautiful ideas that encapsulate them. I would even be as bold to suggest that, if you do not have the time in your schedule to dedicate ten to fifteen minutes a day on the subject, that you reduce the time that you spend each day praying and use that time to learn about praying. There are many books on the market in English with astonishing insights and pearls of wisdom about the subject. For example, there is Rabbi Schwab on Prayer by ArtScroll and Prayerfully Yours by Rabbi Twersky published by ArtScroll or Talelei Oros published by Feldheim. It is my hope that, as your understanding of the deeper meanings begins to blossom, so too will your ability to recognize and awaken the internal desire that is an intrinsic part of each and every one of us.
