Dear God, help me keep coming to You in prayer, even when I don't know what to say. Help me believe You can take the messages from my head and heart and translate them when I don't have words. Help me have peace when I don't have the answers to my prayers, and help me trust You to answer in the way You best see fit.
Matthew 6:7-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:26-27).
The Bible states God only promises to listen to prayers that are according to His will. The apostle John writes in 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV): “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
Sometimes God is silent because we aren't ready for the message. He wants to talk to us about something, but we aren't ready. We have to go through refining trials to make us ready to listen. God is sometimes silent because He knows we aren't willing to obey.
James commanded us to pray for each other (James 5:16). If failing to do something we are commanded to do is sin, then prayerlessness is surely a major sin for believers. There are some very specific ways to help us move away from this sin and into greater praying.
4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Lord, I feel anxious about what's going on in my life today. I don't even know what to pray right now. Take control of my mind and help me grasp the promises of peace. Help me resist how I feel and pray about everything, for then I will experience Your peace.
pour out your heart before him;
Whatever you are facing, bring it to the Lord. Speak to him, be honest before him. Trust that he hears you, take refuge in his faithfulness, and know that behind every heavy silence is a mighty God who loves you.
Just sit down and, keeping your back straight but free, begin quieting your mind and your body by taking a few relaxing, deep breaths. Close your eyes if you wish. Center your awareness on the silent and infinite presence of God within your heart.
No Good Thing Will He Withhold
Every time the Lord answers no to our prayers, He fulfills Psalm 84:11, “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11).
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Pray Scripture over others
People often would like prayer for something specific. Don't feel the need to immediately start praying out loud. Tell them, “I'm going to pray quietly for just a minute.” When you do start praying out loud, pray Scripture over them.
[1] This isn't the same as when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want—there are other reasons why He might choose to do that. When He doesn't listen to us, it is likely because our sin has caused offense to Him and hindered our prayers.
A lack of prayer comes from a lack of faith, which too often means we've taken our eyes off of God's glory revealed in Scripture. So to the Christian who says, “I just don't ever feel like praying” (the kind I meet all the time), my encouragement is this: Discipline yourself for prayer anyway.
No topic is off-limits in prayer. God wants us to express our thoughts and feelings about everything that matters to us. No detail we pray about is insignificant. Everything that we care about, God cares about, since God cares so deeply for us.
Silent Prayer Teaches Us Attention to Others
Regular silence before God can help us withdraw from the noise in our own minds and embrace both the struggles and aspirations of others. It's a false dichotomy to suggest that solitude is the opposite of an engaged life.
There is power in praying aloud, so although silent prayers may be more comfortable for you, you should try to give voice to them when you can.