The only way to know the spirit intended thereof, to be able to answer the questions knowledgeably and correctly, and to know what to do in most situations, is study. Sure, you can rely on a rabbi or some other religious figure for advice (and that especially makes sense for the really complex questions). But, it's ultimately up to you to decide if the given answer truly fits in with the teachings of the Torah.
Lest someone think I am speaking of, say, Reform Judaism versus traditional beliefs, I believe that one needs to follow the Torah and the Oral Torah as given. And to learn the true meaning of these things requires study with a traditional rabbi, not someone from one of the offshoot denominations. I'm merely suggesting that you shouldn't rely completely on what someone else tells you about it. (In particular, you should pay no attention to what I say on the subject! I'm perenially confused, and maybe should not have written all that.)
And there's a lot more than halakah (Torah law) to being religious. Spirituality plays an essential part, and study is of great assistance here as well: study of the Torah, and of other related materials.
Concerning prayer: When the Rebbe’s emissaries told him their plans to present the Prime Minister of Canada with a silver kiddush cup, the Rebbe replied: “What is he supposed to do with it? Rather, give him a siddur (Jewish prayer book), since there are plenty of things in there for him to say.”
There is a careful balance here: We don’t want to create a new religion. Neither do we want BN to be emulating the practices that are specific to Jewish people. But every person needs to grow spiritually, and that does not seem possible without requires daily, meaningful rituals. Also, the path of the BN is integrally tied to the Jewish people, as stated clearly by the Rambam. Perhaps this is why the tzadik, Rav Azulai, instructed a BN to recite the Shma Yisrael every daydiscipline.
My sense tells me that in each part of the world, a BN will have a different approach, and they will each bring their particular wisdom into their practice. The Jewish people have always found much to learn from every culture we've come in contact with. The Talmud praises the Greeks for their sciences and beautiful language, the Persians for their modesty, the Romans for the honor they gave their fathers. In each culture, there are different sparks of the Divine which need to be used towards a Divine end. Therefore, it would seem counter - productive to provide a detailed prescription at this point.
