I know I need something in my life. I am not sure if prayer is it...I need to rest and be quiet with myself and reflect. I don't know if that is prayer but I think it will help clear my mind
That's called meditation. And it doesn't require fictional deities. It's also very healthy, and recommended for those who deal with a lot of stress.
Meditation is helpful, whether within self, or both self and God, or both self and whatever religion the person is involved with. It's preference of choice and personal, as well.
I will add, for myself, God is NOT a fictional deity, and it's one thing (and appropriate, actually) that when telling someone what meditation is or does, to add that your "opinion on the matter" or "your belief," etc. is way less offensive, than saying that meditation "doesn't require fictional deities." That is speaking as a confirmed fact, and though it may be that to you, it is not that to all. That is simple respect for those who do or don't believe, without deliberately stoking an issue.
My saying god is not a fictional deity is in now way any more or less offensive then someone saying it is. Confirmed facts are facts for everyone. No one can have different facts.
Also, god isn't the only fictional deity. What about all those other deities you might believe to be fictional? Isn't saying that god is the only deity offensive to those who believe in other deities? Why is it okay that I don't believe in things like Quetzalcoatl or Zues, but then when I say I don't believe in Yahweh it's suddenly a problem?
The only "problem" I'm seeing is your unwillingness to be open to those on both sides of the fence - don't believe in a deity, do believe in a deity, or do believe in any other thing. My response to you also clarified that it is helpful or appropriate to simply add that "no fictional deities are required" is your thought, belief, or opinion on the matter, because others do not see that the same.
In other words, I responded to the other poster, that whatever way is best for the clearing of the mind, etc., of the poster, is the way he/she should go - whether or not it involves only self, self and God, or self and any other deity.
So, in that respect, you are appearing to ignore the fact that my response to you and the other poster, includes respect and flexibility for whichever way to meditate is chosen.
If you were to choose to meditate without any deity or only within yourself, or with whichever means helps you, then I am not going to tell you that you must have a deity in order for it to work. Because it is not my business how you would choose to meditate, especially if you do NOT believe in any deity.
In the same respect, it would be the same to understand that others may choose to meditate along with God, or another deity, and shouldn't be told that their "deity" is fictional, because to them their deity is not fictional.
If asked, then yes, opinions, beliefs, and thoughts on the matter could and will be offered, but should be acknowledged as "my opinion, thought, or belief..." With that, each acknowledges that they disagree, according to their personal views, without pushing a deity on the other, or saying a deity is "fictional" to another, and a potential fire is squelched before it gets too hot.
It's a personal choice, and both sides should be respected for their personal choice.
As a last note, regarding your comments, "Confirmed facts are facts for everyone. No one can have different facts." - That will be true for a great deal, as we all know, with regards to historical facts, time zones, seasons, science, math, family ancestry, and on and on.
However, the concept of God being a "confirmed fact that he is fictional" is false to many or true to many. The concept of God being real or not real is indeed different, depending on whether someone believes in Him or someone does not, or if someone believes on a different deity. In that respect, people can very much so have different "facts" based upon their personal beliefs, evidence shown or perceived or proven to them, testimonies, history, research and studies, etc.