How to Pray When You Don't Know What to Say

Maybe you've never prayed much. Maybe you've prayed for years but right now the words won't come. Either way, prayer doesn't have to be long, polished or fancy. Here are five simple ways to pray when you don't know what to say, each grounded in a verse from the King James Version.

Start honestly

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:8, KJV)

Pour out your heart just as it is. Tell God what you're feeling in plain words: "I'm tired." "I'm scared." "I don't understand." He is a refuge, not a judge waiting for perfect sentences.

Keep it short

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." (Matthew 6:7-8, KJV)

Jesus said long, repetitive prayers aren't what make God listen. Your Father already knows what you need. A single sentence is a real prayer.

Find a quiet place

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:6, KJV)

Jesus encouraged praying somewhere private. It can be a closet, your car, or a walk around the block. Shut out distractions for a few minutes.

Use a simple pattern

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, KJV)

Try this: thank God for one thing, ask for what you need, and give Him one worry. That's it. Paul promises that God's peace will guard your heart and mind.

Let the Spirit help

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26, KJV)

When you truly can't find words, the Holy Spirit prays for you. Sometimes sitting quietly in God's presence is the prayer.

Try praying every morning this week, even for one minute. The psalmist said, "in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee." You can start with the daily verse and prayer on our home page.