Topic: Origins of Prayer in the Orthodox Church

[Anastasia1]

I was recently asked some questions about the origins of how we pray. "What is the origin for how you pray? Jesus provided some instruction as in the Lord's Prayer, but what determines the cleansing preparation, the timing of prayer, the direction you face, the words you recite, the language you use, and the physical positions during? How do you enter the state of prayer and how do you exit it?" Can you offer any thoughts on this?

[Salpy]

This might help:

http://www.armenianchurchlibrary.com/files/introdivineliturgyfindikyan.pdf

Among other things, it goes into the ancient roots of the parts of the liturgy, such as the Synaxis having its roots in the ancient Jewish synagogue service, etc.  It has some useful information and will probably answer at least some of your questions.