Hey Mika,
When I first started out its like what was said before... its a progression.
For me, i didn't know anything about sutra, from tantra, hinayana from mahayana. Prayers felt good, and recitation of tibetan while i didn't know what i was reciting or if it were correct or not didn't matter.
what mattered was that i had decided to make a change, these words had been recited by many people / great masters before me which gave results. It has to have some effect cannoLt be the words don't have power, when wars can be created from just words.
Take your time, make aspirational prayers for a teacher to manifest and it will happen for you. With prayers to Dorje Shugden, its bound to happen and fast.
Take care:)