As I seek to become more observant of Judaism, I am trying to prioritize. In this way I’m trying to move step by step, in a gradual and achievable manner, towards better observance. In terms of prayers I should be saying every day, which are the most important? Or where should I begin? (I already do Friday night kiddush and much of the Shabbat morning Shacharit)
The most important prayer obligation is to say the Shema (Shema Yisrael / Hear, Israel) morning and evening, followed by the Amidah / Shemoneh Esrei / Standing Prayer in the morning and afternoon. In the morning there are six blessings — washing the hands, blessings on the Torah, to add as well, and it is a Torah Mitzvah to wear Tallis and Tefillin.
From there, you can progress to saying the blessings on the Shema morning and evening, along with the evening Amidah. Then you add “Aleinu” at the end, the morning Pesukei D’Zimra/ Psalms of Praise, and at that point you’re saying most everything.