How can I develop a meaningful prayer practice when I'm skeptical or don't know where to start?

Skepticism isn't the enemy of prayer—it's often the beginning of sincerity. I've found that people who doubt most rigorously sometimes pray most honestly, because they're not performing for anyone. Start small: five minutes, no agenda. Not begging, not bargaining. Just presence. You might speak to God, to the universe, to your own deepest self—the language matters less than the attention. Some people find words; others find silence. Some use a prayer from their tradition; others write their own. What matters is that you show up when you don't feel like it, especially then. The ache of seeking isn't comfortable. But it's real. There's a devotion in showing up to something you're unsure about, returning to it anyway. That's not weakness or blindness—that's courage. Start by asking one honest question into the quiet. Not expecting an answer in words. Just noticing what happens in your body, your breath, your heart when you do. That's the beginning.