Black brush lettering on ivory handmade paper: “When your words run out, the Spirit still helps you pray.”

When You Don't Know What to Pray

You sit down to pray, and all you can manage is someone's name. Or you have so much on your mind that you keep starting a sentence and stopping halfway through.

Paul writes that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26, NIV). He is writing to people who belong to Christ and are waiting with hope for the fullness of God's redemption. Their weakness is real, and the Spirit is already helping them.

In verses 26–27, the Spirit intercedes according to God's will. A few verses later, Paul points to Jesus, who died, rose again, and intercedes for us. Our hope in prayer rests in the care of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So bring the name you keep thinking about. Tell God what you are afraid to say aloud. Ask Him to guide you when you are unsure what to ask for.

A prayer when words are hard

Father, You know the need I am struggling to name. Thank You for welcoming me through Jesus and helping me by Your Spirit. Please guide my prayers according to Your will. Help me trust You with this person, this day, and the next step. Amen.

Let someone pray with you

You could ask a trusted friend from church, “I am finding it hard to pray today. Could we pray together?” Pray for the person or situation on your heart, and ask your friend to keep praying through the week.

Keep reading: The Weight of Carrying Everything or 7 Bible Passages for Rest.