"For there is only one God, and only one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2:5
Both of my parents were alcoholics. I prayed more than once, and God answered. He freed them.
Here Are Seven Ways To Pray When You Don't Know What To Say?
1. Start with simple one-liner praise to God, with thanks and worship, even if you can't sing it. Psalm 100:4
2. Pray the Lord's Prayer and then in a Bible-loyal fashion, perhaps reword it freshly for yourself. I don't change the meaning, but sometimes I pray this in German. It's basically a tempet, it's a good track to run upon. Matthew 6:9-13
3. Tell God exactly how you feel and think: kind of hurt. God. I don't know what direction to go in. God, I need a good attitude and demenior. I need your free Grace and fellowship and time with you, but I don't feel like praying sometimes and I don't want to get too busy for time with You, with my family, or with your Family. I want to have expectant faith when I pray that so many things have been bad and I don't feel wanted anywhere, not even among my own kids. Do you have anything better for my wife and I than these two jobs we currently have that leave us empty. We don't want to be poor. We need to experience your love and some blessings again. We need at least a few changes made. Please make it easy for us through these changes. We've suffered a lot of loss and can't take any more emotional pain. Psalm 62:8
4. Ask God for His kind of wisdom. James 1:5
5. Beseech humbly. Yes, pray one-sentence prayers perhaps. Even for others around you. Nehemiah 2:4
6. Simply talk with, listen and pray, "Lord, help me." He gets it, no matter the situation your in. Trials with some suffering come and go -- are you entering one, in the middle, or exiting one? Choose to stay faithful and above reproach. Matthew 15:25
7. Say. Perhaps pray out loud.. or silently.. the prayers already given to us, which were voiced or penned by believers throughout the whole Bible. Why not remind God of what he's promised and said, or what others have prayed before.
Has the Bible given us hundreds of examples of believers praying? Yep. These are not empty religious formulas to recite mechanically like some automaton-AI-robot. There are inspired patterns that teach us how real men and women of God get honest during times of need. They show us how others approached Him—with praise, confession, doubts, lament, struggles, faith, repentance, thanksgiving, dependence, and bold requests.
Wise Christians humbly pray to their Father God through their Lord Jesus Christ. Expect, cuz praying in faith matters! Scripture teaches that there is "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). You don't need any queen when you already have a caring King.
Sup with prayer? It is simply a friendship-conversation with God, your heavenly Father, not some religious ritual with incense or a laundry list of demands or requests. God doesn't need anything -- certainly not me to inform Him of how He is to answer my prayers and when. He is God, and I am His servant, not the other way around. I request in faith, He decides, and then I leave the results with Him. It's like that with witnessing. I pray, I care, I go share and then leave the results with Him. Seeds get planted, watered, tended to, and the harvest gets reaped. We ask and keep on asking in different ways.
Are you His child, or merely His creation? The Father loves and hears His children cry out. God cares about the heart and motives behind your prayers, believer, rather than their length, repetition or eloquence. Keep your focus on God, and keep prayers simple and effective, including:
Prayer is Inviting, Not Informing: God already knows in advance what you need before you ask Him. Prayer is a way of inviting Him into your circumstances.
No Formal Formulas: No fluff and fu-fu! You don't need religious or fancy words or a specific location or position to be in. You can simply whisper "God, help!" like in your time of need.
The Lord's Prayer is Like a Good Blueprint if Ya Will: Jesus provided the Lord's Prayer (some call it the disciples' prayer. See Matthew 6:9-13), not as some Temple or Churchy script to robotically repeat for show or magic, but as a simple template. It teaches us to honor God in worship, to align ourselves with His will, to present our daily needs cuz He gives a flip, to seek His free forgiveness, and to ask for protection in this dangerous world.
A smart Choice. Turn your Panic into Prayer. Turn your Worries into Worship: When facing trouble, opposition, or anxiety, instead of getting uptight and worrying or getting angry at others, let your requests be made known to God with thanksgiving. God hears and has His timing.
Jesus taught: "Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." Matthew 6:9-13 nlt
"I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this--the measure of the intensity of your prayer." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
Need some short but biblical prayers.. that any believer today can still pray, either in full or perhaps adapted to their own circumstances?
1. Prayers of Praise, Worship, and Adoration
Moses
"Who is like You among the gods, O LORD?" (Exodus 15:11)
Pray:
Lord, there is none like You. You are holy, glorious, faithful, and mighty to save.
David
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name." (Psalm 103:1)
Pray:
Father, I bless Your holy name. Thank You for forgiveness, mercy, healing, and steadfast love.
Heavenly Worship
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty." (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)
Pray:
Holy, holy, holy are You, Lord God Almighty. You alone are worthy of worship.
2. Prayers of Confession and Repentance
David After His Sin
Psalm 51
Pray:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.
Daniel's Confession
Daniel 9:4-19
Pray:
Lord, we have sinned and fallen short. Yet You are merciful and forgiving. Turn our hearts back to You.
Tax Collector
Luke 18:13
Pray:
God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Martin Luther said:
"The entire life of believers is to be one of repentance."
3. Prayers for Guidance and Wisdom
Solomon
1 Kings 3:9
Pray:
Lord, give me an understanding heart and wisdom to make decisions that honor You.
David
Psalm 25:4-5
Pray:
Show me Your ways, Lord. Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth.
James
James 1:5
Pray:
Father, I lack wisdom. Please give it generously and help me walk in it.
4. Prayers During Fear, Trouble, and Distress
Jehoshaphat
2 Chronicles 20:12
Pray:
Lord, I do not know what to do, but my eyes are upon You.
David
Psalm 56:3
Pray:
When I am afraid, I will trust in You.
Hezekiah
2 Kings 19
Pray:
Lord, hear my cry and defend Your people. I trust You to fight battles I cannot win.
Peter Sinking
Matthew 14:30
Pray:
Lord, save me. KnowGod.org
I repent in the best way I know how, I agree with you, I've sinned. Forgive me, Jesus. Come inside me. Rule without rival. Use and keep me, Lord. Thanks.
Those 2 words are Bible terms: Save me. That's one of the shortest and greatest prayers in Scripture.
5. Prayers for Help and Strength
Nehemiah's Arrow Prayer
Nehemiah 2:4
Pray:
Lord, help me right now.
The Canaanite Woman
Matthew 15:25
Pray:
Lord, help me.
David
Psalm 61:2
Pray:
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
6. Prayers of Lament and Honest Pain
The Psalms are filled with these.
David
Psalm 13
Pray:
How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? Yet I trust in Your unfailing love.
Sons of Korah
Psalm 42
Pray:
Why are you cast down, O my soul? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him.
Job
Throughout Job
Pray:
Lord, I do not understand what You are doing, but I bring my grief and questions to You.
God invites honesty, not pretending.
Psalm 62:8 says:
"Pour out your heart before Him."
7. Prayers for God's Presence
Moses
Exodus 33:15
Pray:
Lord, if Your presence does not go with me, do not send me from here.
David
Psalm 27:4
Pray:
One thing I ask: that I may dwell in Your presence and behold Your beauty.
Psalmist
Psalm 73:25
Pray:
Whom have I in heaven but You? Besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
8. Prayers for Revival and Spiritual Renewal
Psalmist
Psalm 85:6
Pray:
Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?
David
Psalm 51:10-12
Pray:
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.
Habakkuk
Habakkuk 3:2
Pray:
Lord, renew Your work in our day.
9. Prayers for Deliverance
David
Psalm 40:13
Pray:
Be pleased, Lord, to deliver me; hurry to help me.
Psalm 91
Pray:
Father, protect me and my family under the shadow of Your wings.
Paul
2 Thessalonians 3:2
Pray:
Deliver us from evil and from wicked men.
10. Prayers for Family and Future Generations
Abraham's Servant
Genesis 24
Pray:
Lord, guide my family according to Your will.
David
Psalm 144:12
Pray:
Bless our sons and daughters and establish them in Your ways.
Paul's Prayer
Ephesians 3:14-19
Pray:
May my family know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
11. Prayers for God's Provision
Agur
Proverbs 30:8-9
Pray:
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but provide what is fitting.
Jesus
Matthew 6:11
Pray:
Give us today our daily bread.
Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:10
Pray:
Lord, bless me indeed and enlarge my opportunities for Your glory.
12. Prayers for Faith and Trust
Father of the Demon-Possessed Boy
Mark 9:24
Pray:
Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.
David
Psalm 31:14
Pray:
I trust in You, Lord. You are my God.
13. Intercessory Prayers for Other People
Abraham
Genesis 18
Pray:
Lord, show mercy and save those who are far from You.
Moses
Exodus 32
Pray:
Lord, forgive Your people and turn them back to Yourself.
Samuel
1 Samuel 12:23
Pray:
Lord, help me never cease praying for others.
Paul
Colossians 1:9-12
Pray:
Fill them with the knowledge of Your will and spiritual wisdom.
14. Jesus' Prayers That We Also Can Pray
The Lord's Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
Gethsemane
Matthew 26:39
Pray:
Not my will, but Yours be done.
For Unity
John 17
Pray:
Father, make Your people one and keep them faithful.
On the Cross
Luke 23:46
Pray:
Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.
15. Paul's Great Prayers for Believers
Ephesians 1:17-19
Pray:
Give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ.
Ephesians 3:16-19
Pray:
Strengthen me in my inner being and help me grasp Christ's love.
Philippians 1:9-11
Pray:
Cause my love to abound with knowledge and discernment.
Colossians 1:9-12
Pray:
Help me walk worthy of the Lord and bear fruit in every good work.
A Prayer Especially Relevant to What You Shared
You mentioned feeling weary, unwanted, uncertain about the future, burdened by loss, needing fellowship, provision, direction, and renewed experience of God's love.
Several biblical prayers fit those needs remarkably well:
- Psalm 13 (when you feel forgotten and you might)
- Psalm 42 (when discouraged -- that could happen)
- Psalm 62:8 (pouring out your heart)
- Psalm 71:18 (for later years of life)
- Psalm 73:25-26 (finding God as your portion)
- Psalm 90:14-17 (asking God to satisfy and establish your work)
- Exodus 33:15 (asking for His presence. This is better than His presents)
- Ephesians 3:16-19 (knowing Christ's agape love)
- Philippians 4:6-7 (bringing all cares and anxieties to God)
- Matthew 11:28-30 (coming to Christ for rest and abundant life)
Lord God, give me eternal and abundant life in Jesus. Give me grace to accept what You have not called me to change or address, strong courage to obey where You are calling me to go act, to go say, to go listen, and wisdom to know the difference. Keep me from all fleshly striving and from wasting time on battles that are not mine to fight. Teach me to pray faithfully, biblically, earnestly.. to wait on You patiently, and to act 100% obediently. Make me willing to become part of the answer to my own prayers, I pray. Since I have been saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, please help me walk in the good works You have prepared for me. That glorify You alone! Direct my steps in the word and make my life fruitful even through the silver years.. for Your glor Jesusy. Amen.
Would you pray something like.. I'm not telling you what to pray. Prayer isn't like some magic formula. It's simple communication--communion, friendship, fellowship. Can I (biblically) change my prayers according to the changing needs? Sure, why not? Do you say the same things to your best friends every single day?
Psalm 90 contains one of the most practical prayers for believers facing uncertainty about work, purpose, and the future:
"Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love... Let Your favor be upon us, and establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:14,17)
That prayer remains as fitting today as when Moses first prayed it thousands of years ago. It asks God for what every believer ultimately needs: His presence, His love, His favor, and His hand upon the work He has entrusted to us.
This: Adoration, with Confession, Thanksgiving, with Supplication.
Christian, would you get honest and pray something sort of like:
Father God, Grant (please give) me a willingness to obey You, a fresh infilling of Your Spirit, and the strength to accept the things I cannot change. Give me the courage to change the things You are now calling me to change, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Teach me to discern truth and what to apply from the Bible. Like, where You are working and where You are not at all leading me. Keep me from striving in the flesh, fighting battles You have not assigned to me, or spending precious time on matters beyond my personal calling. Help me focus on what is truly imperative in Your sight, instead of what merely seems important.
Give me godly wisdom to steward my time well daily—to know when to pause, get alone and pray, when to wait on You silently, when to speak up, when to act right with the right timing, and when to totally leave a matter in Your hands. Show me the difference between burdens You want me to carry and burdens You want me to surrender over to You.
Lord, make me not only a person who prays for other needy people and change, but a person willing to be changed inside. Help me become part of or all of the answer to the prayers I offer. Give me obedient faith that puts feet to holy conviction and action to biblical beliefs.
Remind me of Your love and faithfulness, that I do not work for salvation, for Christ has already accomplished that work completely through His death on the Cross and physical resurrection. Yet because I belong to Him, please empower me to abound with JOY in the good works You have prepared beforehand for me to walk in.
May my life bear fruit that honors You. I want to walk in Your word cuz that is walking in Your will. Direct my every step, establish the work of my hands, and teach me to spend my days on what will matter for eternity. Acceptable worship, biblical soul-winning and non-coercive discipleship. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Can I (biblically) change things according to the changing need? Sure, why not? Jesus is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. How do you respectfully speak with your brother or BFF?
God grant me a fresh anointing and strength inside to accept the things I cannot change around me as I live as a witness.. as I give verbal witness of Jesus. I want people to see Christ in me, even if they already hate. Yes, and the courage (boldness), godly wisdom, with some basic practical helpful steps I need to take.. in order to change the things that I can change with step-by-step guidance, Your help Jesus. In fact help me run back to you for the details of how to do it Your way instead of the World's way or my own way. Yes, Jesus, help me get involved with what You are for sure wanting me to change by Your power. Thanks for the enabling of the Holy Spirit inside. Please direct me by Him to change what's for me to change ..exactly as you desire.. starting with me. Grant true repentance. It's a way of life for me. I can't really change me as You can, but I can cooperate. Continually give your wisdom -- that's what I request instead of the world's wisdom, to know the difference between what I should be involved with and what I should NOT be involved with changing. Help me abide in You, Jesus at your feet like Mary did, when it's time for me to simply rest, to let go and let God the Father. Lord Jesus, I don't want to strive in the flesh trying to produce anything good independent of You, or waste any of my time struggling with things I shouldn't even busy myself with. God, give your wisdom in double measure if you like, to prioritize my time between praying about the things that need to be changed and actually becoming an answer to my prayers -- someone to change them, I mean, putting shoe leather to my faith. Yes, becoming the answer to my own prayers, doing it your way and not my own way. Because faith without works is dead. Use me, Lord, and help me stay use-able with those good works that You lead me to perform that both glorify the Father and help other people know Him well. Amen.
Sure, we Christians don't work towards salvation (like we could somehow earn Christ's forgiveness and right standing with the Father), but we work from that moment of salvation.
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time.. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
This combines godly wisdom, right priorities, stewardship of time, and discerning God the Father's will
What's to learn: Daily dependence on God (John 15:5), His wisdom for applying (James 1:5), stewardship of time and resources (Ephesians 5:15-17), discerning God's truth and will (not half-truths Romans 12:2), and active obedience (James 2:17).
