God’s gift to help . . .
When I Can’t Find the Words
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;
may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
Psalm 143:10
What are we supposed to do when we struggle to pray, when we’ve run out of words?
What if the words don’t come at all, when a conversation with God seems so distant?
I am sure you have experienced times when you don’t know what to pray . . . Sometimes we have all sorts of things to say, and other times we don’t know what to say at all . . . everyone has those times, but God knows what you need before you even utter a word!
Do you trust that? . . . Do you believe it in your heart?
You see, it really is simple, so don’t panic . . . To try to pray is to pray . . . If you’re trying to pray it is praying . . . You can’t fail . . .
God hears us no matter what, even if we don’t feel like we’re praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing”. . . Never stop praying . . . This is our instruction, our directive to keep praying
. . . There is no right or wrong way to pray, or one position of prayer superior to another . . . The only thing that we must do is humble ourselves before the Lord, acknowledge Him in our lives, and pray without ceasing.
When we accept Jesus into our life, we become one with Christ . . . He lives in us through the Holy Spirit . . . Even if our prayers go unspoken, God knows our thoughts before they even are thoughts . . . God can sense our words before we think them . . . There is no mistaking that God hears all of our prayers, even if we don’t speak to them at all .
Sometimes when we cry, that’s the prayer that is needed . . . maybe the only prayer we can pray is one word, “Jesus” . . . He knows the rest . . . Other times we simply hold the Bible up to our hearts in silence and take in all of His great and precious promises . . . Prayer is our lifeline . . . Without prayer, spoken or unspoken, there is no communication to our Life Giver, God.
Prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness;
not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it;
not figures of speech, but earnestness of soul.
(Hannah More)
Remember, to try to pray is to pray . . . You cannot do it wrong . . . Each one of us has our own way of communicating . . . Each one works . . . God hears them all!!
INSIGHT . . .
So . . . What do I do when I don’t know what to pray? . . . When I can’t find the words?
When the words fail to spill out, when thoughts won’t make sense, you can still pray by being in God's presence . . . God understands even unspoken longings and hears the heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede for you.
Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.
(Edwin Keith)
Embrace stillness and presence . . . just be . . . Prayer is about connection, not just speaking . . . Sit quietly and simply be with God . . . When you don’t have the words to pray, know that God still hears the silence of your heart . . . just come as you are . . . Sit with Him . . . Breathe in His presence . . . Let your tears, your sighs, even your silence be your prayer . . . the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, and that means you’re never praying alone . . . God understands what you can’t say, and His love fills in every gap . . . Just be with Him—that’s enough.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27
And listen . . . Quiet your heart and listen for His guidance . . . today’s lack of words may be about creating space for God to speak to you . . . prayer is a two-way street . . . talking to God and Him talking back . . . Running out of words to pray doesn’t mean we need to stop praying . . . it might mean that it’s time to listen.
INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
What conversation do you need to have with God about your prayers?
When you can’t find the words to pray, can you find the words to ask God what’s going on in your life—for His guidance?
We can always choose to pray God's Word . . . simply look to the Bible to find the language you need for your own prayer life . . . Choose a scripture in the Bible and read it . . . Ask yourself what promise is the scripture giving, what lesson do I need to learn from it, or how is this scripture asking me to follow God?
Yet sometimes the words just aren't there . . . it's okay to feel that way . . . Sometimes you don't have to say anything . . . When it comes to our relationship with God and we find ourselves at a loss for words, that’s alright . . . In times like this, we can pray by allowing the Spirit to take over—letting go of control . . . A great deal of prayer is about being in God's presence . . . God understands that sometimes we won't have the words and that's why He has gifted us with the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf.
God understands . . . He loves you and me as His children . . . Our prayers may not always be nice words neatly strung together
. . . Sometimes our prayer will be our cries and moans . . . Because God loves us and has filled us with His Holy Spirit, He knows the deepest longings of our hearts.
If you feel like you have run out of things to pray for, pray for someone else . . . When we expand our prayer life beyond ourselves to pray for others, we realize we are never lacking things to pray about . . . and a lot of prayer should be about our thanking God for all He has done in our lives . . . taking time to be grateful easily turns into prayer.
ILLUMINATION . . .
Consider this for a moment . . . What is your favorite fruit, snack, or candy? . . . go-to comfort food? . . .
Now, it’s just sitting there on the table, waiting for you . . . you can imagine the flavor, feel the refreshing
coolness, smell the goodness, the warm comfort . . . your tastebuds are watering.
How often do you reach for a “favorite” when you are hungry, tired, bored, or stressed?
. . . Is the taste satisfying, soothing, or comforting?
Now, think about this . . . look at your Bible . . . don’t open it . . . just look at it . . . you can remember parts of it, maybe . . . you can remember times when it satisfied your heart and soul . . . but what about right now? . . . just like your favorite food or drink, if you don’t open it . . . taste it, try it . . . you won’t experience what you need right now.
If you don’t “go for it” you can’t experience it . . . whether it is that favorite food, slowing down for a sunrise or sunset, or opening the Bible to see what God has for you . . . when you are stuck, you have God’s comfort-food right at your fingertips . . . you have His Word.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8
When was the last time you “tasted” the Word of God? . . . opened your Bible for God?
When was the last time you opened you heart and soul
to “see” what He has for you in your Life?
Are you ready to experience the goodness of the Lord by simply opening your Bible?
INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .
To sing is to pray twice.
(St. Augustine)
I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.
♪♬♪ Current . . . Lord, You Are My Strength
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIu1JwiHTIw
♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Breathe on Me, Breath of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG7i2SDe-kE&list=RDNG7i2SDe-kE&start_radio=1
♪♬♪An extra today . . . Lord, Teach Me How to Pray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxtvSx-6-5A&list=RDNxtvSx-6-5A&start_radio=1
INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .
And so, I urge you: carry on an ongoing conversation with God about the daily stuff of life . . .
For now, do not worry about 'proper' praying, just talk to God.
(Richard J. Foster)
Can’t find the words . . . Go ahead and say it to God anyway—say whatever is on your mind . . . Breathe—deep breaths in and out . . . Think about what you are grateful for . . . Pray for someone else—pray for lots of other people . . . Say the Lord’s Prayer, the 23rd Psalm, or something else you are familiar with . . . Sing to yourself—it could be a hymn, a praise song, or some other music that stirs your emotions . . . Go for a walk, or a run; Look at a tree or a flower; Sit in a chair in absolute silence—sometimes silence is the best way to be near God.
I know that when I pray, something wonderful happens.
Not just to the person or people for whom I'm praying,
but also something wonderful happens to me.
I'm grateful that I'm heard.
(Maya Angelou)
God is not looking for perfect and fancy words . . . He's looking for sincere hearts with the desire to connect with Him. . . We may run out of words, but God never runs out of love for us . . . so keep seeking Him in prayer no matter what that looks like.
May you have the desire deep in your heart and soul to talk with God.
May you have the willingness to let the Holy Spirit walk with you in life,
sharing your thoughts and desires with the Lord.
May you rest in the knowledge that God does not ask for perfection,
He just asks for your presence. —Amen.
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
Prayer Paths is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God.
To receive Prayer Paths each week—send a request,
with your name and email
to BarnabasRoad2025@gmail.com
(Prayer Paths is offered through Barnabas Road Ministries)
