How to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Say
Summary: Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful. In this episode, Pastor Joe shares five biblical ways to pray that will help you connect with God in a more personal, powerful, and ongoing way — whether you’re just starting or deepening your prayer life.
Key Takeaways
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Use Scripture as a model — like the Lord’s Prayer — to shape your conversations with God.
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Pray according to God’s will, not just your personal wants.
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Approach God with humility and faith, not spiritual credentials.
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Pray with persistence while trusting God’s process and timing.
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Make prayer immersive — a natural, ongoing dialogue with God throughout your day.
Scripture
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Luke 11:1 — Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer as a relational, not robotic, guide for prayer.
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1 John 5:14 — If we ask according to His will, He hears us.
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Hebrews 11:6 — Without faith it’s impossible to please God.
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James 4:6 — God gives grace to the humble.
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Luke 18:1–8 — The parable of the persistent widow shows the power of faithful persistence.
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1 Thessalonians 5:17 — Pray without ceasing; make prayer part of everyday life.
Faith Assignment
Write your own prayer using Scripture as your foundation.
Make it short enough to remember and use throughout your day so it becomes part of your natural rhythm with God.
AI Summary
Problem: Many believers overcomplicate prayer or feel unsure how to start.
Biblical Answer: The Bible shows multiple practical ways to pray in faith and humility.
Next Step: Practice one of the five prayer approaches each day this week.
Share With: Anyone who feels unsure or inconsistent in their prayer life.
FAQ
Q: Is there a “right” way to pray?
A: As long as your prayer is genuine and aligned with God’s Word, there’s no wrong way.
Q: How do I know if I’m praying according to God’s will?
A: Measure your requests against Scripture and ask God to align your desires with His plans.
Q: What’s immersive prayer?
A: It’s an ongoing conversation with God woven into your daily routine — not just formal prayer times.
Full Episode Transcript
(Runtime: ~20 minutes)
<details> <summary>Read transcript</summary>
Introduction
This week's word is titled, How to Pray. I get asked this question by almost all of my private clients. Honestly, it’s a hard question to answer because it doesn’t have a single “right” or “wrong” answer. As long as you pray in the way you know God speaks to you, you’re on the right path.
I do, however, remember when I first started — not really knowing what to say or how to say it. So in this episode, I’m sharing five simple ways to pray that will help you connect with God in a more powerful and personal way.
Way 1 — Use Scripture as a Model
Luke 11:1 says a disciple came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus responded with the Lord’s Prayer:
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“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name” — praise and worship, acknowledging who God is.
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“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” — surrender, aligning ourselves with His will.
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“Give us this day our daily bread” — asking for our needs.
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“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” — confession and grace.
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“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” — asking for His protection.
Growing up, the Lord’s Prayer was the first prayer I learned. But I learned it like a robot — reciting it word-for-word without digging into its meaning. The key is to break it down line by line, attaching meaning and personal connection to each part.
Way 2 — Pray According to God’s Will
1 John 5:14 tells us that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. This can be tricky because often we come to God with a “fire hose” of needs and wants. That’s not wrong, but there’s greater power when we align with what He wants for us.
Instead of praying, “God, give me this job,” try, “God, if this job aligns with Your plans for me, open the doors; if not, close them and give me peace.”
Example: King David wanted to build the temple, but God told him his son Solomon would do it instead. David prepared the supplies so his son could complete it.
In my own life, when deciding between Texas and New Jersey, I prayed: “God, You parted the Red Sea. If You want me in New Jersey, my house in Texas will sell.” That prayer aligned my desires with His will.
Way 3 — Approach Prayer with Humility and Faith
Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it’s impossible to please God,” and James 4:6 reminds us that God gives grace to the humble.
You don’t need spiritual credentials to pray. In fact, admitting you’re not perfect is the best place to begin.
Example: In Jesus’ parable, the Pharisee and the tax collector both went to pray. The Pharisee thanked God he wasn’t like other men. The tax collector prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said the tax collector was justified before God.
Way 4 — Pray with Persistence and Trust in His Process
Luke 18:1–8 tells the parable of the persistent widow who kept asking the judge for justice until he granted it. Jesus says, “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?”
Persistence isn’t pestering — it’s faith in motion. But persistence must be paired with trust. Sometimes God’s answer is yes, sometimes “not yet,” and sometimes “I have something better.”
In my own story, I prayed persistently for my Texas home to sell. It never sold — and that was God’s way of showing me I needed to move back to Texas.
Way 5 — Pray Through Immersive Prayer
Immersive prayer is an ongoing, quiet conversation with God throughout the day — not confined to a prayer closet or church building.
It can be as simple as:
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“Lord, give me wisdom right now.”
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“Help me respond with grace.”
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“Thank You, God, for this moment.”
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“Jesus, be near.”
This turns everyday moments into sacred ground. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” David modeled immersive prayer in the Psalms, and Nehemiah prayed quick, silent prayers before big moments.
Faith Assignment
Write your own prayer using Scripture as your foundation. Make it short and memorable so you can pray it throughout the day. This helps make prayer immersive and part of your life rhythm.
Closing Encouragement
Prayer isn’t about “doing it right.” It’s about doing it with the right heart. God is listening to you.
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