Sweet Prayer Action

hello all christ-following brethren and sistren! I'm wondering this: When you pray and ask God for guidance in any particular situation, how do you go about it? What sort of questions do you ask...how do you know when a response is of God. My friend Paul says that he prays over two items and pictures them visually in his mind, and waits for one of them to be "highlighted" (Like Vanna White walking across and touching one with a 'bing!' sound). If a response doesn't come, he prays some more and considers more than just the original two options. My method is similar but without the visuals, usually. Sometimes its difficult for me to tell if I'm getting a reply or if my brain is just spouting what it subconsciously wants to do.

any insights?

peace & grace