You sit quietly, ready to pray, but the words won’t come. Perhaps someone you love is hurting. Perhaps you’re worn out, or you simply don’t know where to begin.
You can bring that to God, too.
Prayer begins with God’s grace. Through Jesus Christ, we come to the Father with the help of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to earn a hearing with polished words.
A simple place to begin
Try saying what you would tell someone who knows you well: “God, I’m worried about my family.” “I’m grateful for the help I received today.” “I need forgiveness.” Or simply, “Please help me pray.”
Jesus cautions us against piling up words as though their number makes a prayer effective. Our Father already knows what we need (Matthew 6:7 to 8). A brief, honest prayer is a good beginning.
Use the prayer Jesus gave us
The disciples needed help with prayer, too. When they asked Jesus to teach them, he gave them the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1 to 4; Matthew 6:9 to 13).
Pray it slowly. Let each part bring something to mind. Asking for daily bread might lead you to name a need in your household. It might also help you remember a neighbor who is struggling. Asking for forgiveness gives you room to confess a wrong and consider whom you need to forgive.
You don’t have to turn every phrase into a long conversation. Some days, praying the words Jesus taught will be enough to help you begin.
When you still have no words
Romans 8:26 to 27 offers comfort here: the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, including when we do not know how to pray. Your difficulty finding words does not mean that God has left you.
You can also borrow words from the Psalms. Psalm 13 brings sorrow and questions before God. Psalm 23 speaks of God’s care in the darkest valley. Scripture makes room for prayers that sound troubled as well as prayers full of joy.
And you can ask someone to pray with you. A pastor, a friend, or someone in your church may help carry a burden that feels too heavy to hold alone.
Trust God with what comes next
We can ask God plainly for what we hope will happen. Prayer does not guarantee that every circumstance will change as we wish. We entrust our needs to God’s wisdom and care, and ask for the strength to take the next faithful step.
That step might be making a difficult call, asking for advice, offering an apology, or accepting help.
A prayer you can use today
Gracious Father, you know what I’m carrying, even when I cannot explain it. Help me trust your mercy through Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, help me pray. Give me what I need for today, and show me how to care for someone else. Amen.
Take two quiet minutes today. Name one thing you’re thankful for and one thing that worries you. Start there.
Read in Scripture: Matthew 6:7 to 13; Luke 11:1 to 4; Romans 8:26 to 27; Psalms 13 and 23.
Share a private prayer request with the PURE Radio team, or find Christian teaching on PURE Radio.