How to pray
How to pray when you don't know what to say
· 2 min read
How to pray when you don't know what to say, with simple ways to start, Scripture to pray back to God, and comfort from Romans 8:26.
When you don’t know what to say, start by telling God that. “Lord, I don’t know what to say” is a real prayer. You aren’t alone in it: “we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).
What do I say when I don’t know how to pray?
When you don’t know how to pray, tell God that. “Lord, I don’t know what to say” is a real prayer, and Romans 8:26 says the Spirit helps us when we don’t know what to pray for. Then borrow words: pray the Lord’s Prayer line by line, pray a Psalm, or read a name from your list and pray one sentence for that person.
Start small
You don’t need long or polished words. Jesus said, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). A sentence is enough.
- “Lord, help me.”
- “Thank You for today.”
- “Be with Sarah.”
One of the oldest short prayers, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” takes its words from Luke 18. See what the Jesus Prayer is.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer
When His disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1), Jesus gave them words. Pray Matthew 6:9-13 slowly, one line at a time, and add your own words after each line. See how to pray the Lord’s Prayer for an example of each line.
When worry is what leaves you without words, these prayers for anxiety can help you start.
Pray a Psalm
The Psalms give words for every feeling. Try Psalm 23 for peace, Psalm 51 for confession, Psalm 13 for waiting, and Psalm 103 for thanks.
Pray a verse for someone
Choose a verse and turn it into a prayer for a person. For example, from Philippians 4:7: “Lord, guard Michael’s heart and mind with Your peace.”
The Pray App suggests Bible verses for each prayer card.
Write it down
Sometimes writing is easier than speaking. Open a journal and write to God. See these prayer journal prompts.
Use a list
A list gives you something to pray about. Read a name, then pray a sentence for that person. See how to make a prayer list.
Sit in silence
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It’s fine to sit quietly before God without words.
Pray with The Pray App
Each prayer card holds a short prayer you can edit and a suggested Bible verse, so you always have a place to start. Tap Start praying and pray each card in your own words, or pray the words on the card.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to create a prayer card.
Questions people ask
What do I say when I don't know how to pray?
Tell God that. Even "Lord, I don't know what to say" is a prayer. Romans 8:26 says the Spirit helps us when we don't know what to pray for.
Can I pray Bible verses?
Yes. Praying Scripture back to God is one of the oldest ways to pray. The Psalms are a good place to start.
Do my prayers need to be long or eloquent?
No. Jesus warned against "empty phrases" and said your Father knows what you need before you ask (Matthew 6:7-8). Short, honest prayers are welcome.
Related guides
- Christmas prayers for dinner, family and griefShort Christmas prayers for dinner, for your family, for Christmas morning and for anyone grieving at Christmas, with Bible verses about the birth of Jesus.
- How to have a quiet time with God, a simple daily planHow to have a quiet time with God each day, a simple 15 minute plan for reading the Bible and praying, what to do when you miss a day, and how to keep it going.
- How to pray Scripture back to God, with examplesHow to pray Scripture back to God in four simple steps, with examples of praying Bible verses over yourself, your children and someone who is sick.
- How to pray the Lord's Prayer as a guide for your ownHow to pray the Lord's Prayer line by line, what each part means, and how to use it as a model for your own daily prayers, with an example for each line.