Salamun Alaikum,
You are absolutely correct, that the current utterance of the 2nd person masculine singular imp. verb (fi-lul'amri) 'Qul' (Say) is possibly inappopriate in the context of a personal prayer. However, please note that it can be argued that an 'imam' in a congregational prayer is reciting not only a personal prayer, but also in the capacity as a leader (to the congregration). In the latter case, it may be considered appropriate to recite the 'Qul' in such a way to the congregation.
This is the sole reason why, I personally do not recite it with the 2nd person verb form. In fact, if like myself one is multilingual, one may even decide to recite a prayer in French, or Hebrew or any other prayer.
There is no point in my humble view making use of utterances which are not prayer based and are in effect, reading utterances back to God. This is 'ritual' prayer. The Quran does not command one to recite scripture back to God.
Surah Fateha on the other is a proper prayer as are many other prayers in the Quran.
The Quran does not define 'utterance'. Please note this very significant point. It leaves utterance open for a 'personal' communion with God. This also applies to 'form'. The Quran does not fix form (where you put your hands, how many rakahs etc) but it may make logistical sense in a congregation to have a form. The Quran describes all other aspects of prayer. So the possible reasons as to why the Quran is
intentionally silent about the prayer's form and content is because it does not want to fix it and neither does it want to fix it in any particular language.
However, this does not mean:
(a) That we need Hadith and Sunna to fix the form and content and make it a ritual.
(b) That we go to the other extreme, abandon the prayers altogether and inconsistently redefine all the prayer related verses.
Both of these approaches have not understood the reason behind the Quranic 'silence'.
We need to understand the 'hikmah' behind the Quranic silence and with regards prayer, form and content
only.The Quran can be detailed when it wants to be. It can go to lengths to inform you of what is required in 'Wudu'(5:6), a precursor to prayer, but on the other hand, not give you any details about what to say in prayer.
Silence does not mean absence. It means, fluidity. It is left to the ummah and the individual to commune with God in a manner which makes one feel closest to Him.
Today many Jews and Christians do not have fixed form or content. However, this does not mean they don't pray. Many still do in a similar manner to many traditional Muslims.
There are many prayers in the Quran.
Here are some:
http://quransmessage.com/articles/quranic%20prayers%20FM3.htmI for one, may choose to pray in English, Arabic, Hebrew, French, Spanish or whatever. The Quran gives me that right
and no human can take that away. This is right given to me by my Divine Creator.
I hope you understand my point.
I'd like to share some articles with you.
DO WE HAVE TO PRAY IN ARABIC?http://quransmessage.com/articles/do%20we%20have%20to%20pray%20in%20arabic%20FM3.htmHOW CAN WE LEARN PRAYER IF WE DON'T HAVE HADITH TO TEACH US?http://quransmessage.com/articles/prayer%20without%20hadith%20FM3.htmI hope that helps, God willing.
Regards,
Joseph.