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

Most people who say they don't know how to pray are already praying. They just think it has to sound like someone else's. It doesn't. God is not grading the sentence. He is listening to the person.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.

Start shorter than you think

A real prayer can be one sentence. "Help." "Thank you." "I'm scared." "Be with her." Jesus told people not to pile up words as if God needed a speech. If you can text a friend, you can pray. Use the same voice.

A real prayer can be one sentence. "Help." "Thank you." "I'm scared." "Be with her." Jesus told people not to pile up words as if God needed a speech. If you can text a friend, you can pray. Use the same voice.

A pattern, not a script

When you want a shape, the Lord's Prayer is a pattern, not a password. You do not have to recite it for it to count. You can walk through it in your own words.

When you want a shape, the Lord's Prayer is a pattern, not a password. You do not have to recite it for it to count. You can walk through it in your own words.

Father

Start by remembering who you are talking to. He is near, and He is good. You are not breaking into a meeting.

Your name, your kingdom

Ask that God would be honoured where you are — your house, your street, your city — and that His way would win over yours.

Give us today

Name the actual need. Rent, a conversation, courage, a sick friend, a quiet mind. Specific is better than impressive.

Forgive us

Tell the truth about what you did, and about who you are still angry at. Ask for mercy, and for the ability to give it.

Lead us

Ask for protection and for a way through the next hour, not a map of the next ten years.

When you are praying for someone else

Say their name. Ask for what you actually hope — that they would know they are loved, that pain would ease, that they would meet Jesus. If you do not know what they need, say that too. "You know what I don't. Be kind to them today." That is a complete prayer.

Say their name. Ask for what you actually hope — that they would know they are loved, that pain would ease, that they would meet Jesus. If you do not know what they need, say that too. "You know what I don't. Be kind to them today." That is a complete prayer.

One person in your everyday life — family, neighbour, coworker.

One place you will walk through today.

One nation you will probably never visit. The nations page gives you a specific point so you are not guessing.

Silence counts

You do not have to fill the quiet. Sit for a minute after you have said the true thing. If your mind wanders, bring it back without scolding yourself. Distraction is normal. Returning is the prayer.

You do not have to fill the quiet. Sit for a minute after you have said the true thing. If your mind wanders, bring it back without scolding yourself. Distraction is normal. Returning is the prayer.

If you want your feet in it

A prayer walk turns the same simple prayers into a route through your neighbourhood — timed, specific, and safe. Build a walk

If you have never talked to God at all

You can start today without cleaning up first. Tell Him you are not sure He is listening, and then tell Him what is actually going on. If you want to know who Jesus is before you go further, that explanation is written in plain words, with a short prayer at the end if you want one. If the next question is what to read, start with one chapter of John.

You can start today without cleaning up first. Tell Him you are not sure He is listening, and then tell Him what is actually going on. If you want to know who Jesus is before you go further, that explanation is written in plain words, with a short prayer at the end if you want one. If the next question is what to read, start with one chapter of John.

Next steps

Know Jesus · Pray for a nation