How to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Say

Introduction Prayer can feel intimidating when you’re just starting out or even if you've been walking with God for years. Many of us wonder if we're doing it right or saying the right things. I'm Pastor Joe, and in this week's Word of the Week, I want to simplify prayer. This blog gives you five ways to talk with God in a more personal and powerful way—even when you're not sure what to say.

1. Use Scripture as a Model In Luke 11:1, a disciple asked Jesus, "Lord, teach us to pray." Jesus responded with what we now call the Lord's Prayer. Each line is more than just tradition. It is a guide:

• Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name — Acknowledge and worship God.

• Your kingdom come, Your will be done — Surrender to His plan.

• Give us this day our daily bread — Ask for your needs.

• Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors — Confess and extend grace.

• Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil — Seek guidance and protection.

As a child, I could recite the Lord’s Prayer perfectly, but I didn’t understand the meaning behind it. Now, I encourage you to take it line by line and make it personal. When you connect the words with your life, it becomes more than a memory verse. It becomes a relationship.

2. Pray According to God's Will 1 John 5:14 says, "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."

It’s easy to pray like we’re handing God a wish list. But a powerful shift happens when we say, "God, if this aligns with your will, make a way. If not, close the door." It invites peace into the process.

There was a time when I had my house for sale in Texas while working in New Jersey. I didn’t just pray, "Lord, sell my house." Instead, I prayed, "Lord, if New Jersey is where you want me, let the house sell. If not, close the door and give me peace." The house never sold. That clarity brought me back to Texas.

3. Approach Prayer with Humility and Faith Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it's impossible to please God. James 4:6 tells us that God gives grace to the humble.

Prayer doesn’t require a spiritual resume. You don’t have to be perfect. Just honest. One of the most powerful prayers is, "God, I don't have all the answers, but I need you."

In Luke 18, a Pharisee and a tax collector go to pray. The Pharisee brags about his righteousness. The tax collector simply says, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Jesus said it was the tax collector who left justified.

Start there. Start honest.

4. Pray with Persistence and Trust in God's Response Jesus tells the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18. She keeps going back to the judge until he gives her justice. Jesus says, if an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will your heavenly Father respond to you?

Persistence shows faith. Trust keeps us grounded.

Back to my house in Texas. I prayed persistently for it to sell. But when it didn’t, I trusted that God was redirecting me. That decision brought peace.

Sometimes God says yes. Sometimes He says not yet. Sometimes He has something better. Trust His timing.

5. Practice Immersive Prayer Throughout the Day Immersive prayer is ongoing, natural conversation with God. It doesn’t need a quiet room or a perfect setting. It can happen in your car, at the grocery store, during a meeting, or in a tough conversation.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."

Nehemiah prayed this way. When the king asked him a difficult question, Scripture says, "Then I prayed to the God of heaven and answered the king."

Immersive prayer is simple and sincere:

• "Lord, give me strength."

• "Thank you, God, for this moment."

• "Jesus, be near."

It turns everyday life into holy ground.

Faith Assignment Write your own short prayer using Scripture as your base. Make it simple enough to memorize and meaningful enough to pray throughout your day. Let it become part of your rhythm, your go-to, your immersive connection with God.

Want More? Visit PastorJoe.com to subscribe, hear more weekly episodes, and get connected. If this blog helped you, share it with a friend. Let’s grow together.