[QUOTE=bvarnell;346578]Hi,
In Judaism is it acceptable to have informal prayer? or must you pray from a prayer book?[/QUOTE]

Judaism is a religion of community is defined by law. As such, our prayers -- even when we pray alone -- are generally formulated in the plural ("we") and follow a prescribed format.

There are prayers that we are required to say at certain times -- the central prayer, called in rabbinic liturgy ha-tefillah or The Prayer -- is the Amidah of 19 blessings which is recited in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The recitation of this player is a mitzvah d'rabbanan -- a mitzvah enacted by the Rabbis. The Torah requires prayer -- or "service of the heart" -- at least once a day; the Rabbis -- based on the example of the three Patriarchs and the schedule of the Temple sacrifices -- established the three prayer services as part of halakhah or Jewish law. The recitation of the three paragraphs of the Shema (Deuteronony 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 11:13-21, Numbers 15:37-41) is mandated by the Torah -- a mitzvah d'oraita.

That being said, prayer is one of those mitzvot that has a minimum, but no maximum. These formal prayers are the required bottom line, but a person is permitted and encouraged to pray more -- either extensively through additional contemplation or spontaneous personal prayer or through intensive meditation on the words of the formal prayers.

Prayer is meritorious, though, but actions speak louder than words. Torah study, helping the poor through tzedakah, and acts of loving-kindness are even more important.

bvarnell wrote:

Hi,
In Judaism is it acceptable to have informal prayer? or must you pray from a prayer book?

It is perfectly acceptable to pray informally, personally, or any other way. But learning the liturgical prayers - the collected prayers and blessings of the Jewish people over a thousand years and more, gives anybody a wonderful collection of ideas, themes and LANGUAGE to use in prayer, that is (in my experience) a lot better than most of the personal stuff I dredge up myself.

My favorite personal prayer, however, and you are welcome to use it, too, is:

wow God! What a beautiful day! Thank you!

There's even a prayer formula, you might say -

Blessed are You, Lord our God ruler of the universe who......(fill in blank with whatever)