When You Can't Find the Words

READ: LUKE 11:1-13; ROMANS 8:26-27; EPHESIANS 3:14-21

Have you ever tried to pray, but couldn’t seem to find the right words? Perhaps a friend was hurting, or you were going through a difficult season, or maybe you wanted to thank God—but for some reason, you couldn’t figure out how to express what you wanted to say.

Prayer is essential in our walk with God. He calls us to pray at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). However, God understands that sometimes we aren’t sure what to say or how to pray, and He hasn’t left us alone to figure it out. Scripture says He already knows what we’re thinking and feeling (Psalm 139:1-4) and He knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:7-8), so we don’t have to worry about having all the right words. Those who have trusted Jesus for salvation also have the Holy Spirit, who speaks to God for us (Romans 8:26-27).

In addition, God has given us the Bible—full of stories and prayers of real people just like us. When I’m struggling to talk to God, I will often simply pray through a relevant passage of Scripture. I’ve even memorized a few that are especially meaningful to me, and I use them frequently. Unsure how to pray for a friend? Check out one of Paul’s prayers for his friends in Ephesians 3:14-19. Going through a hard time? So did David, and his raw, honest prayers are recorded in the book of Psalms—which is also a great place to find prayers praising God. We even have several of Jesus’s prayers recorded in passages like Matthew 6:9-13 and John 17.

In short, we all experience times when prayer doesn’t come naturally—and that’s okay. You can go to God with your messy thoughts and questions and requests, and you can let Scripture guide your prayers, trusting that God already knows your heart and is working on your behalf. • Faith Lewis

• Can you think of a time you tried to pray, but you struggled to put your thoughts and needs into words? How does it make you feel to know that God already sees your heart, and yet He still wants to hear from you?

• Did any of the verses mentioned in today’s devotion stick out to you? Are there any you’d like to use (and maybe even have memorized) when you’re not sure what to pray?

• What do you think about the idea that the Holy Spirit prays for you? This is just one of the many blessings available to those who have put their faith in Jesus. (Find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)