How to pray when you don’t know what to say

When you feel pressure to find the right words

In Matthew 6:5–8, Jesus warns against praying to impress other people and assuming that many words will make a prayer heard. He directs attention toward the Father, who already knows what is needed.

A practical way to begin is to name one thing specifically. Perhaps you regret an impatient conversation, feel grateful for someone’s kindness, or need help with a decision. Bring that particular thing into prayer.

When you need words to follow

Read the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13 slowly. It gives attention to God’s name and will, daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil.

Choose one part to consider. If you are thinking about daily needs, name what you and someone you know need today. If forgiveness draws your attention, consider something for which you need to ask forgiveness.

This is one suggested way to reflect on the passage, not a required formula.

When words still will not come

Romans 8:26–27 describes the Spirit helping believers in weakness, including when they do not know how to pray. Within that passage, difficulty praying is met with help.

You might read those verses and pause. You do not need to turn the pause into another task or force yourself to feel different immediately.

For a guided next step, try Day 1: Rest without pretending. It brings together a Scripture passage, reflection, prayer, and one practical action.

Scripture behind this guide

Complete cited selections from the King James Version, the edition used in our daily practices. Its older English uses “thy” for “your” and “hallowed” for “held holy.” Chapter links let you read the surrounding context, and the Bible reader lets you choose a modern English edition.