There is a role for the formal,spontaneous and even incorrect. The formal means that you are taking the time and effort to try and pray to G-D in a way that separates you from the mundane and contribute to a community. The spontaneous on the other hand is acknowledging G-D’s presence in the ordinary and the most serious moments in one’s life. Yet what occurs to those who make a mistake during a prayer, for example by asking for G-D’s help for someone who is sick but put in the wrong name and/or time? These individuals have their prayers listened to as well because of the effort to connect to the divine and G-D knows what’s past the brain and what is in one’s heart and soul. The point is all prayers count even as some might be more direct then others as long as they are done for the right motivation and with a modest heartfelt voice.