My Problem With Prayerಮಾದರಿ

My Problem with Prayer: I Don't Know What To Say

Have you ever opened your mouth to pray and… nothing came out?
You love God. You believe in prayer. But when it’s time to talk to Him, you freeze. You feel stuck.

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Even the disciples, who literally walked with Jesus, had to ask, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1 NIV)

That verse changed my life, because it reminded me: struggling with prayer doesn’t make you a bad Christian. It makes you human.

Sometimes we struggle because we’ve never had prayer modeled for us.

Prayer is caught and taught.

If it’s not coming out of you, maybe it was never put in you. That’s why being around people of prayer matters, why I want my kids hearing me pray. We need to catch it.
But we also need to be taught.

So let me help with what I wish someone told me:

1. You don’t have to say anything:

Seriously. Jesus said in Matthew 6:7–8 not to babble like pagans who think they’ll be heard because of their many words. God already knows what you need. You don’t need fancy language or the “right” formula.

Sometimes the most powerful part of prayer is just being with God. Like an old couple at breakfast who don’t need to fill the silence. They just know each other. God isn’t looking for impressive words; He’s looking for sincere hearts. Our words don’t impress God… our faith does.

And sometimes faith looks like this:
Getting up early to spend time with Him.
Choosing prayer as your first response before the supplements, the sessions, and the strategies. Trusting that there’s no greater reward than seeking Him, no promotion or pursuit better worth your time.

It’s faith that catches God’s attention. Hebrews 4:14,16 NLT says, “Since we have… Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.”

Why can we come boldly? Because of Jesus.

Think about Adam and Eve, how they walked with God in the garden until sin broke that connection. Jesus came to restore it.

God doesn’t hear your prayers because you said it right. He hears your prayers because Jesus made it right.

2. The Holy Spirit will close the gap:

Ever feel like something’s wrong but you don’t know how to say it? Romans 8:26 NLT says the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness—when we don’t even know what to pray, He intercedes for us.

God understands groans.
He understands tears.
He even understands silence.

So when you can’t find the words, trust that the Spirit is already speaking for you.

3. But you can say something:

Prayer is a gift. And it’s okay to grow in it. Like anything meaningful, prayer can be planned. You don’t have to wing it every time.

Having a plan doesn’t make it fake. It makes it focused. It shows your soul: this matters.

Start here:

• Pick a time and place. Show up on purpose.
• Shut off your phone. Distraction is the enemy of devotion.
• Use a prayer model. You don’t have to make it up as you go.

4. Use the P.R.A.Y. model:

If you ever feel stuck, here’s something simple yet powerful to help guide your prayer time:

• P - Praise.
  Begin with worship. Start with who God is before talking about what you need.
  Prioritizing praise over petition in prayer, reminds you of the purpose of prayer.
• R - Read.
  Open your Bible. Let God speak to you.
  Prayer should be a conversation, not a monologue. Reading the Bible when you pray ensures that even if prayer doesn’t change your situation, it will certainly change you
• A - Ask.
  Share your heart, your needs, your worries, your dreams.
  God cares about all of it. ​​When you ask in prayer, you live in peace
• Y - Yield.
  End by surrendering it all back to God.
  Say “Amen” and give it to God.

You don’t have to pray perfectly. You just have to pray.
God isn’t grading your grammar; He’s receiving your heart.

Reflection Prompt:
What’s keeping you from praying today? Fear, busyness, not knowing how?
Try using the P.R.A.Y. model today. Pick a time and place, and talk to God like a Father who’s already waiting.