Have you ever felt so tired, sad or confused that you couldn't even pray? Have you ever tried to start a prayer but nothing came out? Just silence, a tightness in your chest and a lot of mixed feelings?

If so, you're not alone. We all are, at some point along the way, we come before God not knowing what to say.

But the good news is: God understands. He listens even to silence. He responds even to tears. He welcomes even wordless prayers.

Prayer is not always made up of words

We've been taught that praying is "talking to God". And yes, that's true. But prayer doesn't always have to be verbal.

Sometimes prayer is a sigh. A thought. A tear. A glance at the sky. A song that plays just at the right time. A longer breath in the midst of chaos.

Praying is connecting with God in a sincere way - even when all we have to offer is silence.

God knows the heart before the word

Before we even say anything, God already knows what's going on inside us.

"Even before the word reaches my tongue, you know it all, Lord." (Psalm 139:4)

This means that you you don't need to impress God with pretty words. He's not expecting a perfect speech. He wants your heart, just the way it is now.

1# Start as you mean to go on

If you can only say "Sir, I'm here", that's a start.
If all you say is "God, help me", he hears you.

You can start with a simple sentence. Or not even that. You can just sit quietly and mentally say: "I don't know how to pray right now, but I want to be with the Lord."

This desire to be with God is already a powerful prayer.

2# Use your Bible as a prayer

When words are lacking, the Bible can be your voice.

The Psalms, for example, are full of real, human, intense prayers. David cried, he complained, he felt abandoned - but he took it all to God.

You can read aloud or just meditate on passages such as:

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." (Psalm 23:4)

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

By repeating these words, you are praying with the living Word. And that has power.

3# Pray with what you feel, not with what you think you should feel

Sometimes we get stuck in prayer because we think we need to be well. That you need to give thanks first. That you can't show doubt, anger or tiredness.

But God doesn't expect a performance. He expects true.

If you're confused, say so. If you're angry, say so too. If you feel that God is distant, talk to him about it.

The Bible shows people praying like this all the time. Job, Jeremiah, the Psalmists, even Jesus wept in Gethsemane.

Don't hide from God what he already sees.

4# The Holy Spirit intercedes for you

When you don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for you.

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26)

This is so beautiful. God has placed within you an intercessor who speaks for you when you can't.

So, even in the silence, something is happening in the sky. Even without words, your soul is being heard.

5# Use songs as prayer

You know that song that makes you cry on the first chord? That seems to have been written for you? Maybe it's your prayer right now.

Often, the lyrics of Christian songs translate exactly what we're feelingSinging or listening carefully is already a way of talking to God.

You can put on some soft music, close your eyes and just stay there. No rush. No obligation. Just present before the Lord.

6# Write your prayer

If the voice doesn't come out, write.

Pen and paper. Or on your cell phone's notepad. Write down everything you're feeling, thinking, fearing, asking for.

You can start like this:

  • "God, I don't know what to say today..."
  • "Dad, I'm tired..."
  • "Lord, my heart is tight..."

Writing can help you organize your soul and release everything that was stuck. Afterwards, you can even re-read it as a testimony to what God is already doing.

7# Just be with Him

Sometimes the best way to pray is to just be.

You can sit down, take a deep breath, close your eyes and say: "Lord, I just want to stay here, with you."

Just as two people who love each other can be silent and still feel connected, you too can be with God without saying anything.

His presence is more than words.

Silence is also holy

We live in a world that is noisy, rushed and full of pressure. But prayer doesn't have to be another burden on your to-do list.

It can be the place where you rest. Where you breathe. Where you reconnect.

If you can't find the words today, that's fine. God understands. God sees. God listens.

And above all, God answers - even what you haven't been able to ask for yet.

See also: Why does the Church keep Sunday and not Saturday?

March 31, 2025