It happens to all of us, we struggle for words and wonder “How do I pray, when I don’t know what to say?” Here are some simple ways to get the words flowing, and encouragement when it feels like there are no words.

We know how important prayer is, Romans 12:12 tells us to be “constant in prayer.” Ephesians 6:18 says “praying at all times in the Spirit.” I could go on and on with scriptures that tell us the importance of prayer. The hard part is knowing what to pray!

There is the basic element of prayer, using the PRAY acronym (Praise, Reflect, Ask and Yield). This is the foundation or building blocks we can use when praying:

Praise God for all He has done (or give thanks).

Reflect on areas you have missed the mark or made mistakes (and repent)

Ask for what you need.

Yield it into God’s hands.

That still leaves us with what to say. How do we bring our requests before God so He hears us?

How Do I Pray When I Don’t Know What to Say

Praying When You Don’t Know What to Say

We often intercede on behalf of others, our children, our spouses, our family and friends, anyone who needs it! And while we mean well, sometimes we may not know what needs to be said.

I have had situations where I didn’t know what to pray. I sat in the quiet and tried to formulate words but nothing felt right. My prayer became “Holy Spirit, give me the words to pray.” And I prayed that for weeks and weeks. Then one morning, the Holy Spirit did give me the words and mountains moved that day.

In those moments when you aren’t sure what needs to be said, make your prayer simply “Holy Spirit, speak to my heart and give me the words.”

Romans 8:26 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Praying When Emotions Are Running High

There are times when know you need to pray but your emotions are holding you back. You feel empty, lonely, sad…you name it and maybe in those hard moments you feel slightly abandoned by God. This makes prayer all the more difficult.

How can we speak to someone when we wonder if they are even listening?

Let’s stop those thoughts right here. Those are thoughts placed strategically by the enemy. He wants you to feel alone and forgotten. If he draws you away from God, then he knows you won’t know what to say to Him and perhaps, you’ll stop talking to your Heavenly Father altogether.

We don’t want this. So in those moments when you don’t know what to say to God, don’t say anything. Just sit in His presence and simply ask Him to join you. Let His presence be with you and remind you that He is with you, in all things!

Praying Scripture Back to God

Isaiah 55:11 – “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

One of the most powerful ways to pray when you don’t know what to say is to pray God’s own words back to Him. Open your Bible and find a passage that resonates with your situation, then pray it aloud, inserting your own name or the names of those you’re praying for.

Example: Turn Philippians 4:6-7 into a prayer: “God, I’m choosing not to be anxious about [specific situation]. Instead, I’m bringing this to You with thanksgiving. I’m asking for Your peace that surpasses all understanding to guard my heart and mind.”

Praying Through Worship

How do I pray when words fail me? I worship!

When it feels like your words are too broken, too incomplete to pray, let worship become your prayer. Put on worship music and sing the lyrics as your prayer. Sing to God, even if it’s through tears.

Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Writing Your Prayers (Journaling)

If speaking feels difficult, try writing. Pour your heart onto paper. This can help clarify your thoughts and create a record of how God answers.

I highly recommend Ann Voskamp’s “Sacred Prayer: 90 Days of Deeper Intimacy with God,” which is a guided journal to help you pray through scripture. When you don’t know what to say, let this journal help you pour out your heart to God! Available on Amazon.

When You’re Angry or Confused

Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

God can handle your raw emotions. The Psalms are filled with honest, sometimes angry prayers. Don’t sanitize your feelings—bring them to God authentically.

God would rather you speak to Him, He calls you to bring your burdens to Him, be it sadness or anger. He wants to comfort you in all situations. Don’t let the feelings fester, bring your anger and confusion to Him.

Check out some examples of honest prayers in the book of Psalms! Psalm 13, 22 and 88 are a few times start with!

Praying in Emergency Situations

Sometimes we encounter situations when we don’t know what to pray because events are fluid, moving or unknown.

It is in these moments of fear, anxiety and uncertainty that our prayers can feel scattered. You may find yourself saying “How do I pray when I don’t know what is happening?”

When you don’t know what to say, pray for comfort. I have found this to be the best first prayer, because comfort and peace help to calm my mind. When the adrenaline starts pumping and you are on high alert, sometimes seeking comfort is the best thing.

Then I pray for clarity and strength. Once I can feel God’s presence with me, I know I will have His strength too.

I pray these same prayers for others as well. Comfort first, strength second. Let them feel God with them, His calm presence and then feel His strength.

Start with Psalm 18:1-2, then move to Psalm 18:28-29.

Remember God Just Wants You!

When you find yourself saying “How do I pray?” just remember that God doesn’t care how you pray, He just cares that you are talking with Him!

Whether it’s to sit in silence with Him, pray scriptures or worship, God wants to hear from his children.

In situations where you don’t know what is happening, simply pray for God’s presence, peace and strength. Seek Him in all situations and He will find you. Your prayers don’t have to be long, you don’t have to wonder “how do I pray?” You just have to start.

If you’re ready to build a consistent prayer life but still struggle with knowing what to say, my 30-Day Praying Over Your Home guide takes the guesswork out of prayer. Every single day includes a guided prayer you can pray word-for-word—no more staring at the ceiling wondering what to say or how to start. You’ll learn how to pray Scripture over your family, how to intercede for your children and marriage, and how to invite God’s presence into every corner of your home. The best part? Each day takes just 5-10 minutes, and you don’t need to be a “prayer warrior” to see real transformation. If you’ve ever thought “I want to pray more, I just don’t know how,” this guide will give you the confidence and tools to pray with intention and purpose. Get the guide HERE.

Need a short prayer for peace? Read THIS.

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