How to Pray When You Don’t Have the Words - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - September 10, 2025
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Romans 8:26, NIV).
It had been one of the most exhausting weeks of my life. After numerous book proposal rejections, challenging life circumstances, mental health struggles, and conflict, I found myself crying behind the steering wheel of my car. I tried to compose myself for my appointment, but the weight was too much. A deep groan erupted from within, and all I could do was stare.
Tears seeped down hollow spaces as I sat in silence, unable to form a sentence or thought. God was with me, but I couldn't process His presence. I knew He heard my cries, but it didn't feel like it. I wondered if things would ever get better. And if you've ever been there, you know the ache of wanting to pray but feeling like you don't even have the words.
The good news? Prayer isn't about perfect words, but the condition of my heart. In that moment, my heart was broken. Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed to bring it to the Lord in its messy state. But God isn't impressed by the eloquence of our hearts—He desires honesty. This is why Hosea 6:6 and 1 Samuel 15:22 essentially say: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings" (NIV).
In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah prayed in her heart for something she'd always desired. Those around her even thought she was drunk because her prayers were so distressing. You couldn't hear a single word. But though the words were hard to form, and others judged her, God saw her, heard her, and honored the integrity of her heart:
"As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine." "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief" (1 Samuel 1:12-15, NIV).
Beyond prayer not being about perfect words is even better news: When we're too jumbled to pray, the Spirit prays for us.
Ever wished someone could take a test or do your job for you? I know I have! But Romans 8:26-27 promises something deeper for when we struggle with times of deep groanings and despair. These two verses promise us that, regardless of the state we find ourselves in, the Holy Spirit translates our sighs, groans, and silence into intercession.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God" (NIV).
This intercession isn't just for God's benefit, but it's on our behalf. Because when we can't pray, we aren't failing! God is carrying us, and whispering "Help me, Jesus," is enough. Prayers can be simple, and the Psalms often model this approach in short, raw prayers (e.g., "How long, O Lord?").
When words won't or can't come, we can repeat a single verse or utterance of words, knowing He hears us and cares. That is enough. In the silence, we find sacred space. Communion between us and the Father, even when words fail to speak. Why? Because prayer is not always speaking—it's also sitting in God's presence. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is being still and letting Him hold you (Psalm 46:10).
Friends, when you don't have the words to pray, breathe a simple prayer: "Jesus, I need You." Pray any Scripture (such as a Psalm), and sit in the silence. Don't be afraid of those still and uncomfortable spaces. Let God meet you where you are. And rest assured, He still hears you. The Spirit intercedes on our behalf, and that's a beautiful gift. We don't need to have the right words or say them poetically to come to Him. He desires us honestly and authentically, just as we are.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for even when I don't have the words, you hear my heart. You know me, you love me, and you care about what I'm experiencing. Please teach me how to rest in your presence and trust the Spirit to speak on my behalf. Remind me that when words are lacking, you still hear me and see me. We love, praise, and thank you, Lord. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Zbynek Pospisil
Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less
If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
