There have been times when I just didn’t know what to pray. Some times things were just so rough around me and life seemed to keep throwing arrows my way. Other times I just don’t know what to pray. It’s not that I’m confused or struggling. I just don’t have words. This is often when my faith life and relationship with the Lord seems to be in a dry season.
Honestly these times can be very hard places to be. I, at least, end up feeling guilty. Deep down I try hard but I feel like I am failing as a follower of God.
If you have walked through similar times, or maybe are walking through those moments right now, I want to hopefully encourage you in this post. There is no need to feel guilty. You just need to get back on track.
So what do you pray when you just don’t know what to say?
Well if you are having trouble praying because life is just so difficult right now and you may be feeling lost and confused I have news for you. You don’t have to be praying alone!
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
The Holy Spirit will interned for us when we don’t know what to pray.
You are not alone in your sufferings. God has sent us a Helper and a Comforter for these times. So remember that when you are lost for words in your prayers.
But what about for those times when nothing is going wrong yet you still are having trouble finding words to pray?
I would first ask yourself how much time are you spending in God’s Word. If the answer is only a small amount then you probably need to work on that. How do expect to have a conversation with some one you rarely spend time with?
Then I would say to start your prayer times with praise and Scripture. Praise Him for who He is and all the blessings He gives to you. And praying His Word back to Him and over yourself is such a wonderful way to pray when you just don’t have the words.
And if you are still needing help with how to pray read Matthew 6. That chapter is filled with encouragement, including an example of how to pray. Our Lord lays it out so beautifully. He knew that there would be so many of His followers who were just lost with how to pray. So He gave us an outline. Follow the Lord’s prayer until you find your own words again.
Finally, when you don’t know what to say in your prayers just ask the Lord to give you the words. Because He will.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
I pray that this post was encouraging and gave you some help with knowing what to pray if you are in a difficult or dry season. Just don’t get discouraged. Keep pressing into the Father and communing with Him.
