What should I expect from my meditation?

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Nothing! You should not expect your mind to become quiet. You should not expect to experience any physical relaxation. You should not expect to see visions, or beautiful colors, or hear the voices of angels singing. You should not expect to get the answers to problems that you are wrestling with in your life. You see, by not expecting anything in your mediation, you create a beginner's mind. This allows your meditation to unfold naturally and allows nature to give your mind and body what it needs in any given moment. If we have expectations to have a certain feeling or experience, and we don't get it, we can become easily frustrated, confused, discouraged, and feel that meditation just doesn't work for us. The practice may in fact be working wonderfully, yet we will never know because our preconceived desires got in the way.

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What is a mantra?

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A mantra is a sound that leads the mind from its active surface to its quiet depths. No belief is required for this to happen because the effect is produced by the sound of the mantra and not the belief or lack thereof.

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What is the best type of meditation to practice?

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The one you will stick with and personally enjoy doing.

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How many minutes should I meditate?

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If you are a beginner, 5 to 7 minutes. Then, increase the time slowly as you feel comfortable, until you have reached around 20 minutes. You can start with meditating once a day and then gradually shift to meditating twice a day. Go slow and remember: Comfort is key. 

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I am a Christian. Can I pray to God before I begin my meditation or is it better to wait until the end?

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This is a matter of personal choice. However, it is sometimes better to wait until the end of meditation, because the mind is usually quieter and we are able to hear the still, small voice of God more clearly. Ultimately, it is up to the individual. You should experiment and see what works best for you.