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How To Pray When You Don’t Know What To Pray

by | 75 comments

How to Pray when you don't know How to Pray

Prayer is a spiritual discipline we simply can’t live without.

Through prayer, we express our adoration and affection to God. We make requests or petitions to God. We confess our brokenness to God and ask for forgiveness. We thank God for His presence and work in our life.

Through prayer we learn to make our home in Christ no matter what situation we’re facing.

How To Pray When You Don’t Know What To Pray

Prayer is one of the most common vehicles God uses to transform us. At times we may be tempted to think that prayer changes God, but more often prayer changes us as our desires our aligned with God’s will.

#LiveWonderstruck Check out this amazing Bible study by Margaret FeinbergWe dove into the wonder of prayer this week during the online Summer Bible Study at MargaretFeinberg.com. (It’s not too late to join us! Learn how to jump in, here).

As Leif and I transition to Utah, we’re both being reminded of the importance of prayer. Of leaning into God with every concern, every fear, every breath.

Some days, to be honest, I can’t find the words to pray. So I pray letters:

L. P. H. E. 

Those the letters I pray when I don’t know what to pray. Why?

Because if you rearrange them, they spell HELP.

The disorganized letters are my way of saying to God, I can’t even find the solid ground to speak from.

H. L. P. E. 

I don’t know which way to go. I don’t even know the syllables to utter.

P. L. E. H. 

But in this place I’m crying out to you to make sense of it all. To hold us together. To be our Shepherd.

E. H. P. L. 

To empower us to live like we have a Shepherd (Psalm 23).

It’s my way of praying grace and strength and peace and comfort in a time when our lives our in transition–and I’m still hunting for my favorite pair of winter gloves.

We’re digging deep into God through our prayers and petitions, and we want to know one thing from you:

How can we pray for you during this season? 

What is a tactic you use when you don’t know how to pray?

What is one area of your life or person that you’ve given up praying for?

 

We’re taking a week off from our Summer Bible Study—enjoy your Fourth of July celebrations! Join us back at MargaretFeinberg.com on Monday, July 11th as we begin Week 5: The Wonder of Friendship during the online Summer Bible Study.

75 Comments

  1. Marina LeTourneau
    Marina LeTourneau on June 29, 2016 at 5:37 am

    Good Morning,
    It was so fitting to hear you on my way in to work on a CD (LifeWay Women Devotions Vol 2). My sister lives in Germany and we were praying over Skype. She asked me how to pray. Of course God always answers us if we want to do good in His Glory. So not only will I share with my sister, I will also share with my group during our weekly bible study at work.
    Blessings
    Marina

  2. Carrie Rogers
    Carrie Rogers on June 29, 2016 at 11:19 am

    I am at a place where I know I need to be brave & bold and speak truth with confidence & love people but I still sometimes shrink away and live my comfortable life. This is my struggle.

    When I don’t know how to pray, I just say the name of Jesus.❤️

  3. Amber
    Amber on June 29, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    During this season my husband and I are trying to have a child and for 3+ years have been unsuccessful. Praying for ultimate trust in God. When I don’t know what to pray I thank Him for His many blessings.

  4. Sandi
    Sandi on June 29, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    Margaret, I am a long time follower but have never replied to anything in the past. This one really spoke to me. As a mom to 4 adult and almost adult children and a husband who finds a relying on the Lord difficult and working in ministry, I often find myself without words as i sit before the Lord. One thing that I love to do is to envision the throne of Grace with God sitting there and as he watches me I walk (sometimes I carry) the person that I am burdened for up to the throne and i leave them there. I know He knows what is needed better than I do. I know what I want but it will not always lead to what I ultimately want for that person. When it is myself, then I walk up as I let go of all the burdens that I am currently carrying and then I crawl up and sit on His lap and quietly wait for his peace.

    I am just starting your study (shepherd, vineyard, beekeeper…) and so excited to get into it!

  5. Debbie Salmonson
    Debbie Salmonson on June 30, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    I would like prayer for my daughter who has left an abusive marriage, is going to court on July 7th, and is seeking legal help to keep this man away from her and her children 6 years and 13 months.
    When I don’t know what to pray, I pray scripture. Especially now, I am struggling with anger and hatred for this man who has so brutally abused our daughter and grandchildren. We need God to display His power, mercy and grace in this dangerous situation. I also praise God for His character and thank Him for the many blessings He has given us.
    I am praying for someone who is far from God and I have tried to persevere in prayer for them for 20 years. It is deeply painful.

  6. Margaret
    Margaret on June 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    Sounds like a sacred echo, Marina. Huge hug to you and your sister. Love that you guys are spending time together even oceans apart!

  7. Margaret
    Margaret on June 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    Praying for boldness, courage, and bravery, Carrie. <3

  8. Margaret
    Margaret on June 30, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    Lifting you up in prayer, Amber– and your hubby, too.

  9. Margaret
    Margaret on June 30, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    Aww– hello, Sandi. Glad you popped on to say hi. I love the image you described. I am going to try that. Huge hug– you’re going to LOVE scouting the divine. Can’t wait to hear what you think. Don’t be a stranger.

  10. Margaret
    Margaret on June 30, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Oh Debbie, praying for your sweet daughter. It sounds so messy and painful. I will continue to lift her (and you!) up in prayer. Huge hug, friend.

  11. Michelle Ladymason123@me.comLadymason123@me.com
    Michelle Ladymason123@me.comLadymason123@me.com on June 30, 2016 at 7:33 pm

    Praying for you but also with you. I am in Similar Shoes.

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