No words for prayer?

What do you say if you\’ve no words for prayer?

Yes indeed, what do you say in prayer? This is a big one, if you are new in the faith. It\’s a biggie. Where do you find the words for prayer.

Now, you think this lack of prayer  words has just come about? No my friend. It has been around for ages now. Take a look at this.  Even those who walked closely with the master had a prayer difficulty! And they asked him to teach them.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, \”Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.\”  

(Luke 11:1 GNB)

I was thinking about the difficulties most believers have. Especially those who are new in the faith. Even some who have been in the faith walk for some years find it hard to pray. So I began to look around and search.

In the process, here is an interesting article I found. It\’s about, \”when you don\’t have the words to say\”. A book by Lisa Whittle is referenced. Out of her prayer experience she wrote this book. Go get it and learn about 5 word prayers.

One night, in the midst of battles and struggles, Lisa Whittle, the author of 5-Word Prayers , was at a loss for words to voice her distress. “I love You, Jesus, help!” is the first 5-word prayer she remembers. What about you?

Have you ever felt unable to utter a lengthy prayer? Here’s what the psalmist says: “I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!” (Read the Bible, Psalm 121:1-2, NLT)

Some days, we might not feel like praying, like we’ve had enough of repeating the same things and not noticing any change. Maybe you’ve noticed some progress, but in other areas of your life, you lament the stagnation, the fact that you’re still struggling with the same weaknesses, repeating the same failures. 

Click here to view original web page at When you don’t have the words to pray

Like Lisa Whittle,  I too remember very clearly in my early christian days. Prayer was a daunting task for me. Worse, if it was in a group setting and the leader of the bible study group would make the mistake of asking me to open the bible study in a word of prayer.

The first time this happened, no matter the effort I made to open my mouth to begin the process of forming the words for prayer, nothing came out. Just breath. Audible sounds of breath. Breath that was getting hot, salty and fast drying up the mouth.

At this time the tongue would have  cleaved to the roof of the mouth confirming at this moment that a deaf and mute spirit had taken over! My consolation? Everyone in the group had their eyes closed in prayer mode, waiting to hear either a short prayer, or a very uplifting powerful prayer.

Please picture at this time the state of my face which was rapidly getting wet with the sweat. An obvious manifestation of being afflicted by a mute spirit. It\’s like an angel had been assigned to pour spiritual water on me. My thoughts were racing. I felt like sneaking out to take advantage of the fact that most eyes were closed. 

Please picture at this time the state of my face which was rapidly getting wet with the sweat. An obvious manifestation of being afflicted by a mute spirit.

I could feel an anger welling up inside of me. Why was I being embarrassed like this? I decided I was going to have a very strong word with the leader of this bible study group. After all I was older than him and why would he choose to embarrass me like this in front of all these people. And yet he knew I had just arrived in God\’s kingdom not too long ago. I was still learning the ropes. In fact we hadn\’t even covered the topic on words for prayer!

Before I could go further with my anger thoughts, suddenly I heard prayer words coming from somewhere in the middle of the room behind me. It definitely wasn\’t coming from within me. That I was sure about. Someone had decided to come to my rescue. Boy! Was I thankful for that. 

In those early days as a baby christian, prayer was a no go area for me. I tried all kinds of ways to find ways and words for prayer but all to no avail. The easy internet search had not been invented yet. One had to rely on physical books and word of mouth to learn.

But I never gave up. I began asking questions. Lots of questions on how to pray. What words to use in prayer. Is there a special set of words for prayer. What prayer words do I use in any given situation? At one point I almost gave up on attending bible study and prayer groups. 

Fortunately I had lots of sympathizers. There were many who were on my side. Ready to help. And I determined to learn.

So, what prayer words do you say?

Yes! I did learn eventually. I discovered that the bible has lots of words for prayer. All manner of prayer words. I no longer had to ask, \”What do you say in prayer\”? I learned to say short prayers. Simple prayers. Powerful prayers. And now I just pray as the holy spirit gives me utterance. Including long prayers!

Remember I said earlier that the disciples asked Jesus to be taught the prayer words!

Well this is what he taught them to pray.

\”When you pray, don\’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that\’s all the reward they will get.

But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

And when you pray, don\’t be like the people who don\’t know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them. Don\’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
So this is how you should pray:

\’Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept holy. We pray that your kingdom will come– that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.

Give us the food we need for today. Forgive our sins, just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us. Don\’t let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One.\’

Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don\’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do\”.

(Matthew 6:9-15 ERV)

Now, how about you? What is your situation with prayer? Like the disciples I am certain that you too are ready to learn if you are not yet in the flow. Also go read about Lisa Whittle\’s 5 Word Prayers and get empowered today. Start from there

Let me know if my early prayer life testimony has encouraged you to study the word and learn to pray.

Write your feedback in the comments box below. Or get in touch. Let\’s connect.

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