The first thing you must keep in mind is that you do not know how to pray as you ought. You need to pray first for the Spirit’s help.
Romans 8:26 (NKJV)
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The second thing is honesty. I call this prayer regression. When you pray, there is always a point at which you can begin. You might start off praying for your pastor and find no life in your prayer. You try something else like praising the Lord for several of his glorious attributes. That doesn’t work either. It might be that for you, the starting point of honesty is that you don’t even want to pray. That might be your point of honesty, so start there.
Third - It could be sin that is making the heavens dark for you.
Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Pray for the lord to search your heart and show you any sins your heart may have covered over. Here’s where honesty comes in again.
The Shorter Catechism Q. 98 includes “with confession of our sins.” But don’t stop there for the Confession goes on to add, “and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.” Meditate on the Love of God, the Sacrifice of Christ, and pray that the Holy Spirit brings these truths home to you anew until you accept his gracious pardon. And as Owen once said, "Do not speak peace to your soul until the Lord speaks it to you."
For me, the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4 is always an outline for praying for just about everything.
v2a - “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven.” To begin with consider that the Lord calls us firstly, to, “Set your affection on things above,” (Colossians 3:2) Take your minds off the “things on the earth,” and allow your thoughts to sore to the heavens where “Christ sitteth on the right hand of God;” (Col. 3:1) there, peace and harmony reign in perfection always. Don’t go blundering into the presence of God, but “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalms 27:14) Say in your heart as David did of old, “I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Psalms 130:5) Then, and only then will you be ready for the rest of His requests.
v2b - Then pray secondly, “Hallowed be thy name.” In this petition, there is a twofold desire. First, you are to magnify the name by which the Lord hath makes himself known—his attributes. Ponder the great God of the universe and let your minds be further enlarged and encouraged in the task at hand. Real prayer. Second, pray for God’s name to be held in honor on the earth. Consider the deplorable state of that blessed name in our day and beseech him to work in the hearts of men to have a high view of his great name. Say, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” (Psalms 119:126)
v2c - Thirdly pray, “Thy kingdom come.” Pray for the Church that revival and true reformation may come, even in our day. Think with the Psalmist, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalms 27:13) Pray also for your local church. Remind the Lord of his prophecies about the growth of the Kingdom: The mustard seed that becomes a tree (Luke 13:19); The leaven that permeates the three loaves (Matthew 13:33); the stone that becomes a mountain and fills the whole world. (Daniel 2:35)
v2d - Fourthly pray, “Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” Wherein we pray that we and all God’s servants throughout the world are to do God’s will in the same manner as the angels in heaven. With true zeal, knowledge, speed, completeness, joy. “And of the angels, he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.” Hebrews 1:7) This is what the Apostle's whole life emulated. Pray that we do likewise.
All of the above is how I start to try to meet with my God and my Friend. Yes, it takes some time, but it is worth it. And still, it doesn't always seem to work, but God sees our hearts. But, I can also say that the very best times in my life have been when the Lord gives me the ability to pray and sup with him and he with me. Nothing else in life on earth can compare.