Where does Jewish prayer come from?

While the mitzvah (commandment) to daven like this throughout the day is seen in the Torah already in the early chapters of Genesis, the texts used now are a compilation from a few places. Some sections like the Shema are commanded in the Torah specifically and in this case the text is lifted straight from Deuteronomy. Other sections also use verses or whole sections too. Then in the case of the Amida, also known as Shemoneh Esrei, this was composed by the Sandhedrin to ensure that people don’t forget to hit certain aspects of prayer, generally broken up as praise for Hashem, then requests like wisdom, health, sustenance, and the rebuilding of the Temple, and then gratitude. 

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean tefilla is rigid or impersonal. This does not preclude personal prayers, and one should also take time to speak to Hashem from the heart while in shul. This might be adding your own prayers afterwards, and/or having something related in mind while making a prayer, such as praying an exam should go well in the prayer for knowledge. Even when following the siddur, prayer should never feel impersonal.

In a synagogue setting, there will also be communal prayers. The leader will repeat the Shemoneh Esrei once everyone has prayed individually during which in some contexts Bircat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, is recited, Torah sections are read on some days, and other things not done if praying alone. All of those steps before, and others like mourners Kaddish are only said with a minyan of 10, so it is important for the community to pray in a shul. 

Brachas

On top of set prayers at set intervals, brachas are a type of prayer that would more typically translate as blessing. However, unlike in other cultures who may understand ‘blessing’ as an invocation for divine goodness, brachas are usually a type of gratitude and praise for G-d. For example, before drinking wine, the bracha would translate to

“Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the vine”. 

Some are longer, or have added sections, like the longer paragraphs around the blessings for kiddush but thematically it serves the same purpose. 

There are a few exceptions, like bircat habayit, the blessing for the home, which is a modern invention asking for a guard against negative things existing in the home. It does not have the normal structure of a Jewish blessing, but it is seen hanging on walls of Jewish homes in every community. 

Recitation

One typical way that people access prayer is via reading certain texts. Particularly common would be reciting tehillim (psalms), or mishnayot that are part of the Oral Torah. Many individual sections have come to be associated with things like health, success having children, safety, and so on, but may also just be associated with times of year like the start of a month. Learning Torah, especially with relevant themes to whatever you are praying for, is a very common way to enhance one’s prayers by doing a mitzvah. 

Ultimately, every single mitzvah will bring you closer to Hashem, and in turn enhance your spiritual life. There’s no better time to find the Judaica you need for a rich Jewish life.