Wordless Prayers

Not everyday is an easy day to pray. At least, not for me.

Some mornings I wake up with worries that will not let my mind go. I try to give them to God, but they just boomerang back into my mind. The worries can be so overwhelming it becomes useless to try to concentrate.

It is not only worries. I have had times when fear is so strong that my prayers almost sound like heresy. Like the One I’m calling out to isn’t really listening. It is disturbing how fear can so fill my mind that the faith it takes to utter a prayer is almost snuffed out.

There are also the days I wrestle with unbelief. The words of my prayer come together, but a whisper in my mind says, “God will not do that. God will not help. God will not rescue.” I pray my prayer again, but the whisper gains volume. If I keep praying, the whisper becomes a shout winning the moment.

The worst days are those when I am so confused that I can’t even put words together to make a prayer. I find myself speechless not because of awe or wonder, but because confusion and frustration leave me with an inability to put words together. I feel ignorant and low. I have no words to pray when I need words the most.

I don’t know if you have ever felt these types of things when trying to pray? Something tells me you probably have. I have some good news. All of it is normal. There is nothing wrong with you or me when this happens while praying.

In my walk with the Lord, I have discovered what to do when worry, fear, unbelief, or confusion rob me of my ability to pray. I simply quit trying to speak. I do not leave the attitude, moment, or posture of prayer. I remain praying. I just stop talking. In the moments of those wordless prayers I lean on this promise…

Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is in people’s hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants. (Romans 8:26-27)

In those moments when my prayers become wordless, God’s Spirit takes over speaking the words I cannot find to put together the prayer I need the most. I rest in that.

God will do the same for you. If you find yourself without words because of worry, fear, unbelief, or confusion; just be quiet before God. Let His Spirit do the talking and let yourself rest in His promise.

Never be discouraged with a wordless prayer. It may be the best prayer.

Here is a song I’ve been listening to. May it encourage you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHp585tdIjQ