how to pray when you dont know what to say
How to Start Praying When You Do Not Know What to Say
You can start praying with plain words: address God, name what is true, ask for today's needs, and listen. Jesus gives a pattern rather than requiring impressive language, and Romans says weakness does not disqualify prayer.
A place to begin
Many people wait to pray until they can sound certain or spiritual. These passages begin elsewhere: with honesty, dependence, and a pattern that can be borrowed when your own words are few.
Three passages to read
01
Matthew 6:5–13
“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. Pray like this: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
World English Bible · engwebp-source-2026-09-12
Context
Jesus contrasts prayer performed for an audience with prayer directed to the Father, then gives a concise pattern.
Which line of Jesus' prayer gives you words for today?
02
Luke 11:1–4
When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ ”
World English Bible · engwebp-source-2026-09-12
Context
A disciple asks Jesus to teach the group to pray, and Jesus answers with a short prayer.
What does the disciples' request say about learning prayer gradually?
03
Romans 8:26–27
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
World English Bible · engwebp-source-2026-09-12
Context
Paul says the Spirit helps human weakness when people do not know what they ought to pray.
Can not knowing what to say become the honest beginning of prayer?
A simple practice
- Begin with one sentence about who God is or what you need from God.
- Use one line of the Lord's Prayer and say what it means in your situation.
- Sit in silence for one minute, then close without judging how the prayer felt.
Questions for reading
Do I need special words to pray?
No. Jesus' pattern is direct, and Romans makes room for prayer when words are incomplete.
How long should a first prayer be?
It can be brief. Regular honest attention matters more than length or performance.