How to PRAY...When You Just Can't Seem To

Hi Mr. Perry,
I know exactly what you mean. For some reason it is especially hard for me to pray when things are at the hardest in my life. But, don't forget this verse:
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
I think it's important to just be honest and real with God and tell Him, "I don't know what to say, I love you though". God knows your heart and what you need. Just let Him know you love Him and he'll see you through things even when you don't know how to pray. :1_grouphug:

 

Talk to Him the way you have talked to us. He knows your heart. He knows your frustration. He knows you are sick.

And He loves you more than you can ever, ever know.

Kids straying? I raised six. I had to have one arrested when he was sixteen and he graduated from high school while incarcerated in a youth camp. Pain? Oh yeah....

One daughter did not talk to me for about three years while she was rebelling in her late teens/early twenties. We are now extraordinarily close and she is happily married. Hang in there. You can't make your children's decisions for them, but you can keep on caring, understanding that God loves them even more than you do.

I pray -- and this IS a prayer -- that your communication line to our Lord will be re-established quickly and that you will know His peace and His joy in the middle of all the other junk life has to offer.

God bless you.

 

Amy, I find just the opposite in my life...it's easiest for me to pray when things are the hardest. But when things are easy (or hard) and I find myself just not knowing what to pray, I pray scripture back to God, quoting and claiming His promises. I also use the scripture you referenced and ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for me because He knows my heart. Sometimes I think He just loves to hear us talking with Him.

Lots of times on the drive to work, I ask God to help me be aware of His spirit and His grace all day, help me see people through His eyes and love them as He does. It's amazing what that does to my day!

CJ

 

I like to talk to God all day. Sometimes I think He may want me to just shut up! :laugh: Sometimes I will just stop whatever I'm doing to say a special prayer for someone or something, but most of the time I just talk and talk and talk....you get the picture. I laugh at myself sometimes though, like when I see a really cool looking butterfly or flower (have you ever looked down inside one and see all the pollens and furry looking stuff?) and I'll say to God.."look at that! Look at what You made!", as if God didn't already know what He made! :tongue3:

 

When I cant seem to pray, I often follow this acronym - ACTS and I try to pray something from each section.

Adoration -
“Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.”
Psalm 21:13


Confession -
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9


Thanksgiving
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
Psalm 95:2

Supplication -
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

 

I think just reading the Word helps me when I can't pray. It was George Muller who taught me that (not personally of course, but through his writings).

Just reading and reading eventually breaks through the ice and brings out the fire!

 

As far as praying in private, I am like Amy, I find myself talking to God all through the day, one of these days, someone will call me crazy at work, if they hear me mubbling to myself.

My question on prayer is how do you pray in public? That is one of my biggest things I am dealing with. Just last Wednesday night, the pastor asked for someone to pray after a group and I wanted to, but didn't.

I am shy, nervous when I am in front of people and the thought of prayer hits. Mind you, I am not shy or nervous in crowds, just when the thought of me being asked to lead them in prayer.

I am a very outgoing, easy to get along with, get to know kinda guy, but when I am in a group and the leader is looking around for someone to lead us in prayer, there I sit praying, don't pick me.

How do I help battle that?

Jamie

 

Jamie, I have the same problem. I don't know how to get around it or through it. I was not raised in a Christian home and my husband only came to know the Lord 2 1/2 years ago, so praying has always been a very private thing for me. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I am VERY vocal when it comes to talking to others about the Lord or sharing what the scriptures say, but praying out loud is a whole different matter. I would welcome thoughts and advice on this as well. Is it wrong to keep my prayers private? I do not keep my light hidden, just my conversations between God and me.

 

I used to be that way... but its harder to go unnoticed when your the pastor! I guess the best way is just to forget its public, don't think of public praying as any different to private prayer. Certain topics won't be aired, but other wise it is the same.

 

A problem I have always had was when called on to pray in public or as a leader, thoughts go back to Jesus and the pharisees praying in public for attention. The thought always enters my head that I hope not one word appears to anyone listening this way.

 

I think a lot of believer's are concerned about coming across in the wrong way. Probably because we have all heard people that do pray to make themselves appear spiritual or something.

What's the answer? Just be genuine, be yourself. It is soo easy to use the words and phrases others use. As different as some believers speak in general conversation in many churches they all pray the same. It is not always a bad thing, but it can sometimes be evidence that they are not really thinking about their prayer, they are just copying others.

Avoid preaching through the prayer. That always gets me slightly annoyed! When someone starts talking to the congregation under the guise of a prayer.

Avoid talking like your telling God something He does not already know. That is sometimes an evidence of someone praying to the congregation and not to the Lord.

My advice and my goal in public prayer is to be yourself, use your words, pray from the heart, and always, always, always pray to the Lord, forget the congregation or whoever is around you.

 

Not sure what to say Bro. Perry...... except to say that i've been there and you are not alone. I also think that we need to let God know that we are at a loss. The one thing that we can be sure of is that we are thankful for His grace and mercy.