When You Don't Know What to Pray

When You Don’t Know What to Pray

Colby and I have been praying for babies since 2012. That means for over 5 years we have been praying. We have had seasons where we prayed together every night, declaring and calling forth our babies. We have had seasons where have gone months without praying together at all.

In some ways, I think the latter season of praying so infrequently as a couple was caused by not knowing what else to pray. I mean, we have tried every prayer. Prayers of desperation. Prayers of questioning. Prayers of asking. Prayers of gratitude. Prayers of frustration. Prayers of begging. You name the type of prayer, we have prayed it.

So what is one to do when they have tried it all? What is one to do when it feels like there is no prayers left to pray. I mean there have been days, maybe even weeks, when I can’t come up with any words. What else can I ask, Lord?

Who is with me? Have you ever felt this way? Or perhaps you feel this way now. Has anyone else come to the point where they have prayed every prayer and they feel like they have nothing left to offer?

Let me remind you, you are not alone. Just as I think communication is key in relationships including both friendships and marriages, I think the same holds true with our relationship with Father. We need to be in constant communication with him. So even when you don’t think you can, keep praying!

But that’s the problem right? You have no words. My advice to the person who doesn’t know what to pray any longer is to pray God’s Word. I think God’s Word is always the best thing to pray. But, the beautiful thing is when you are at the end of the rope and you have nothing left in you, you can open up the Bible and literally read word for word out of scripture. The most powerful part about reading God’s Word? Is he came up with it! It is breathed from his very own breath, meaning it’s the very words that he spoke.

If you are weary and exhausted, you are not alone. But don’t quit praying. When you feel like you have no more words to pray, open the Bible to Psalms or Proverbs. Read the Word out loud and declare it as your prayer. And, if you don’t have the energy to do that, you can simply just say “Jesus. He hears you. He doesn’t need anything fancy. He doesn’t need anything long. He just wants you to call on him. And when you do? “The Lord will be near to you” Psalm 145:18.

When You Don't Know What to Pray

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9 Comments
  • Terri Grothe
    Posted at 12:27h, 11 August Reply

    When there are no words to say, no prayer that I can pray- Hear my heart.

  • Alice Mills
    Posted at 13:47h, 11 August Reply

    When I have no words, I just sit and concentrate on the Lord’s presence. Sometimes I ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me.

  • Katie
    Posted at 17:17h, 11 August Reply

    “My advice to the person who doesn’t know what to pray any longer is to pray God’s Word.”– what a beautiful reminder! So very true!

  • Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven not Harvard
    Posted at 22:11h, 11 August Reply

    When I ran out of things to pray, I prayed for God to take my desire for children away or help me find a different way to mother people. I finally said, “your will, not mine.” That gave me peace. I know God loves me and has a plan. I just had to learn to trust Him.

  • Jennifer Balderas
    Posted at 08:59h, 12 August Reply

    When we first got married we had trouble praying together as my husband felt he didn’t know how to pray. He felt that he didn’t know the right words to say. I always learned that there is no right or wrong way to pray. Always pray with a thankful heart first and then make your petitions. Just have a conversation with our lord. That is how I have always prayed and I’m so glad my husband now feels more comfortable speaking to God. Our struggles these past 2 years with job hunting and infertility have definitely tested us but I also feel that because of prayer we have built an even more solid foundation in our marriage. My husband recently landed the job he was waiting for and we are in the process of buying our first home. We will keep praying as we know that all blessing come from the lord and in due time we too will have a baby or babies to raise and be heirs to his kingdom. Amen

  • Amber Ulate
    Posted at 18:25h, 13 August Reply

    It’s August 13th. In 5 days I’ll take a pregnancy test. This is the two week wait for me after IUI #3. I cried in church today not knowing what to pray. This blog is exactly what I needed today. Perfect timing. <3

  • Kristi
    Posted at 21:20h, 13 August Reply

    Praying God’s word is something I love to do because it reminds me of what’s important, how powerful he is. It is difficult to ask for the same time continually but I can’t help but think of the persistent widow.

  • Lindsay Tankersley
    Posted at 08:23h, 19 August Reply

    This has happened a lot to me. And in those times I just say, “Lord, I need you!” Or “Lord, please help!”. He already knows what I need from him or what I need help with!

  • Rhonda G
    Posted at 17:07h, 05 October Reply

    When I’m at a loss as to what to say I sometimes just pray “Your will be done”. And yes, in times of desperation, sometimes all that comes out is “Jesus!”. Thankfully, “…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…” (Romans 8:26) If we have a sincere, humble heart, even if we can’t formulate a specific prayer, I think that’s what matters to God.

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