Is it crazy to pray?

I heard a friend frame Christianity in a satirical light: so you believe that a man who lived 2k years ago came back to life as a zombie 3 days after his death; you can have one-way conversations with this zombie in your head and he'll sometimes grant your wishes.

Yes, it's an incomplete framing, yes it's offensive to some. But there's some part that resonates — doesn't it sometimes feel a little crazy to pray to an entity we cannot see or hear? One that never communicates back to us in clear, discernible language?

I think there's actually great psychological utility to prayer and belief therein — it can offer hope for a better future. It can give confidence to move forward. It can increase optimism. There is real power in prayer that does not come from the divine but from the act of belief and supplication.

The skeptic and the spiritualist in me find themselves at odds. I would really like to more whole-heartedly believe in the divine power of prayer. Many would criticize, stating that unfailing belief is a necessary ingredient to have your prayers answered... but this requirement leads me to believe the power then lies more in the placebo than in divine intervention.

Can I not simply be honest in my prayer? Can I not say to God — “hey, I have lot of trouble with believing in you. I'd like to pray because, well, I need some help right now. If you're out there, it would be much appreciated.” Humble and honest.

Why should I be chastised for being authentic in my skepticism?