Votive offerings
Offerings took many forms, from fresh flowers and food to model food, mummified animals and statues. The gods needed only the essence of the offerings. The temple staff ate the food.
A statue, of a god or of the person giving it, was a common offering for those who could afford it. The inscription would ask for the help or protection of the god.
Many people had an altar at home. They prayed to their household gods and made their offerings there.