Before I got saved I just worked, play video games, hung out with friends, and slept. Obviously I can't do that as much anymore, I don't think God wants me to abandon these things but give them less time. So what should I do because I can only read the Bible so much before I get overwhelmed, I could talk to God but the longer I do it the more mental fog I develop (which I why I can't/find it difficult to pray in the morning) and praying for several hours as a new believer seems impossible to me so I have a decent amount of free time so what should I do?
That's your head that gets overwhelmed by a mental fog. But your heart is starving to feed on God's word. Do your heart a favor and feed that part of you instead of neglecting it.
Feed your heart and you'll become a spiritual Schwartzenagger.
I'd suggest that since you have access to the internet, consider changing your habits by finding some videos of preaching and bible teaching to listen to. You might not fully listen at first but that's okay. It's for your heart to eat and enjoy. Think of some quiet thing to do as the video plays.
It may be that something they say will strike your interest enough that you reach for a paper and pen to write it down to say it over and over the rest of the day.
Most will say that you should read the gospel of John first, but I suggest that you read first from Ephesians or Colossians. Read four verses from each. And one verse from the gospel of John in each reading session. Do that each day at an optimal time, perhaps in the morning and early evening.
Then when your just about to drop your head on your pillow at night, pick out a verse or comment from what you read or heard that day and say it to God as a prayer and thank Him for working in you to desire His word so you can grow into a spiritual strongman.
And, consider getting a bible that is a different version than what you've got. Pick one that's different enough that you'll concentrate on the words because they're unfamiliar to you. Go to an online bible-site where they've got several different versions to read the same verse from each version they've got.
Another thing. Read outloud to yourself. When you do, your ears will pay more attention to the words your looking at.
And get some promise cards. Each box has 20 cards, one verse or promise on each card. Read one card after reading from Ephesians, Colossians and the gospel of John. (when you finish those, then start on others of the new testament).
And, find some videos that provide prayers that someone is praying and listen to them, listen in order to eventually recite them yourself. They've got them for all possible life topics so any of them could cover areas in your life.
People who say that you should use your own words in prayer are putting a direct hindrance to those like you who aren't as good at praying as those people might be and tell others to be. When they tell you to use your own words in prayer, that's like telling a spiritual toddler to drive the family car instead of relying on daddy to drive it. I'm just putting things into perspective here.
Besides I've noticed that
a-lot of people ask other people to pray for them so there's not one thing wrong with listening and reciting what others pray. Over time as you get to know how to pray effectively then by all means pray using your own words. But until then pray somebody else's anointed effective prayers over your own life.
