I have a question about religion?

[???Hello???]

Okay, I'm not sure about what religion I believe, but I've been doing research on different ones. I was doing research on a Judaism today and I read that one of the beliefes is that God made a covenant with the Isrealites. Also from going to church with my family in the past (my family has Christian believes), I have heard that a long time ago God also talked to people. I've heard he talkes to people through prayer today.

But my questions are...

Along time ago, did he talk to people in plain view (like a bright light talking out of the sky), or did he talk through prayer? Did he communicate to one person through prayer and that person told everyone else? Does he communicate differently now, or has he always communicated the same way?

thanks =]