To your first question, I’d say just do what you need so you can feel it… if that means you say it or write it, then do that, and eventually your brain can “rewire” itself, getting used to the process and you can just intend the question or whatever.
Second… I’d say, simply, contemplation is thinking about the question or idea, prayer is asking for an answer, meditation is opening the mind (not shutting it down) to receive an answer. But these are all technicalities.
I have a child climbing on my back at the moment so I will go play and let someone else answer this! 🙄 😆