The Power and Purpose of Ritual

Enacting a RITUAL is a way to create a sense of CONNECTION to the intention and/or prayer and to really anchor it in a symbolic and meaningful way. And the beautiful thing about RITUAL is that YOU get to create it, so that it feels powerful and meaningful to YOU!Having a regular ritual practice can assist one in maintaining a sense of connectedness with life and the power of their energy and attention. You can have a regular space in your home where you enact your rituals, such as your altar space. And you can also enact rituals out in nature. 
Here is an example of how I create and engage in ritual:
I first create a sacred space through shifting my energy and attention. I take some deep slow breaths and ground myself into a calm and centered awareness, letting go of any other concerns and activity. 
If possible I like to light a candle. I then speak out loud an invocation to bring myself to a state of presence and humility.
 In Ritual, I personally choose to speak my invocational and intentional words out loud because I feel the power in it. SOUND has the power to transform- it literally vibrates the cells of our body. However there are times when I enact ritual in silence- basically I do what feels true and right in my being. 
I express words/feelings of gratitude to bring my being to an elevated emotional state (Feeling gratitude raises your frequency and brings more coherence to the being). 
Once I feel like I am in a clear, positive vibration I state my intentions whole heartedly.
I then like to make an offering of some sort- usually I like to offer some herbs/plant medicines to the earth and perhaps burn some incense to symbolically carry the prayer/intentions up in the smoke. Making offerings is an act of reciprocity- giving back for all of the ways that we are given to and supported by the forces in life. Reciprocity is foundational to harmony and balance in our world.  
When it feels complete, I close the Ritual with the simple words “Thank you! And so it is!” And I make some sort of sound, such as the shaking of my rattle.  
And the ritual is then complete.