Have yous e'er had times when y'all don't know what to pray? Y'all desperately want to pray but the words but won't come up! Whether yous're walking through a crunch, dealing with a hard person or but having a bad day, know that you lot're not alone. Permit me share what I do when the words won't come and I don't know what to pray.

woman with hands clasped together praying

For years I thought it was horrible when I'd sit down to talk to God but have no thought where to outset, or even what to say. I thought something was wrong with me, or even that I might be super "un-spiritual." I've since learned that's not the case at all, and the Lord has showed me what to do when I don't know what to pray.

The next time yous don't know what to pray, try one of these ideas that have been helpful to me.

one. Let The Holy Spirit Pray For You

Whether it's walking through a crisis in my own life, or even hearing about tragic news from friends, I'll bow my caput to pray but the words merely won't come. And and so I'chiliad reminded of the the words from Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps united states in our weakness. Nosotros do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."

I know that request the Holy Spirit to pray on our behalf sounds odd, but I'd like to encourage you to requite it a endeavor. Even though yous dont know what to pray, you'll be comforted knowing that prayers are going up for the circumstance at hand. Afterward all, who better to pray on your behalf than the Holy Spirit?

2. Speak the Name of Jesus

"When you lot don't know what to say, merely say Jesus. In that location is power in the name, the name of Jesus. If the words won't come up cause you're too agape to pray, only say Jesus." – Just Say Jesus from 7eventh Time Down

Simply as the words to the song say, there is power in the name of Jesus! Speak His name when you don't know what to pray and you'll be amazed at the peace information technology will bring.

iii. Journal Your Thoughts

The idea of journaling really came from one of my readers who commented on this post when I kickoff wrote it. Here's what Deb has to say about journaling when she doesn't know what to pray:

I have found that using my journal writing more than like letters to God is helpful. Sometimes I am inspired from the commencement key strokes but sometimes it starts out Dearest God, I don't know what to say… God are you lot at that place? I pray you are and that you will shine a low-cal on me crusade I am lost at this moment… Almost always before I am finished writing/typing I have got clarity and fifty-fifty nosotros I don't I have peace that I will soon.

Whether it be pen and newspaper or typing out your thoughts, why not try journaling when the words won't come during prayer time.

Journal using the Arable Living Prayer Journal

This journal includes the iv keys to an abundant prayer life that will teach you how to pray and guide you through the daily prompts equally you begin your prayer fourth dimension each day.

When I put these keys into do, my daily prayer life was transformed and praying became much easier. Instead of ever asking the Lord for things, I began having intimate conversations with Him and I want the same for y'all!

Catch your periodical here in my Etsy store!

four. Listen to Praise and Worship Music

Am I the only person that has mini praise and worship sessions when my favorite songs are playing? What better way to talk to the Lord than to worship Him through praise and worship music!

Certain songs have special meaning because the Lord used them to help me get through a rough time. When I hear those songs, I can't help but thank the Lord for bringing me through that fourth dimension.

Related: twenty+ Songs Near Fear To Encourage You On The Difficult Days

five. Say Scripture Out Loud

In that location is great power when nosotros speak the Discussion of God over ourselves or our situation. Repeat the poesy out loud until it sinks deep into your middle!

Not sure where to start, the Psalms are always a big comfort to me. I've also put together a list with verses about trusting God when all confidence feels lost and verses about strength in hard times.

6. Depict/Sketch A Motion picture

If yous have an creative bent, pull out your tools to depict and sketch your thoughts and feelings every bit yous cry out to God. I have no dubiety that He can speak to y'all and you'll begin to have a conversation with Him while yous're drawing or sketching.

7. Be Even so In His Presence

Many times nosotros retrieve of prayer as being just us talking to the Lord. And while that's a large part of prayer, existence still and waiting for Him to commune with usa is a big part of prayer too.

While I've never heard God's audible vocalism when I've been notwithstanding during prayer, there take been many times when He'southward spoken to me through the Holy Spirit as a gentle nudge or calling on my heart as different thoughts come to mind.

Sit down in His presence for v-10 minutes…it will change your mean solar day!

The next time yous sit down to pray and take no clue where to start, try one of these ideas. The fundamental is to not overcomplicate prayer but to be intentional about it. If y'all accept the time to meet with Him, James 4:eight reminds us that He'll run into with you lot. "Describe near to God and He will draw well-nigh to yous."

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