We all encounter this situation at some point as children of God: We seek a tranquil location, make ourselves comfortable, and perhaps kneel. We close our eyes, clasp our hands, and prepare to communicate with our Creator. However, nothing comes to mind. Our thoughts go blank. We might feel frustrated or overwhelmed and struggle to form a prayer. We know that prayer is an important part of our Christian faith, but sometimes we can't find the right words. Instead, our minds wander to the things we need to do.

Don't panic or become anxious if you encounter this challenge and are unable to find the words to pray. Sometimes, words are unnecessary. God doesn't want us to be anxious. We have all encountered such moments in our spiritual journey with God, who comprehends our every thought and exhibits patience and grace.

Here are seven ways to help stimulate the flow of prayer or guide you toward a peaceful communion with God.

1. Engage with Scripture.

Reading your Bible before praying is always beneficial. Even just a single Scripture can kickstart your prayer time. I have found that praying God's Word helps me understand and align with His will.

Praying using Scripture involves selecting a passage that resonates with you and making it personal. By incorporating God's Word and promises into our prayers, we stay aligned with His intentions and can find inspiration to continue praying in our words.

During your daily Bible reading, consider choosing a verse that relates to your current circumstances and customize it with names and pronouns. For example, you could personalize a Scripture such as Isaiah 25: O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. You could consider praying, "Lord, I thank and praise You for being my God. Your name is deserving of honor due to the exceptional actions and intentions you have for me. I am grateful for Your faithfulness throughout my life. Guide me in fulfilling Your purpose for me today."

This method of praying in Scripture is straightforward yet impactful, and it will deepen your connection with God through prayer. Trust me, it works. Remember, as Psalm 119:105 states, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

2. Lift your Voice in Praise.

Listening to uplifting Christian music can help you enter a prayerful state of mind. The lyrics of Christian songs and hymns are often worshipful and centered on praise, so singing along can inspire your prayers. For instance, during a drive to the hospital for a health issue, a song with the lyrics "Even when You don’t move the mountains" resonated with a person, sparking prayers for the upcoming procedure. This experience shows how powerful music can be when you're praying or showing your faith in God even when things are hard.

Singing during church services is a form of worship that can deeply impact individuals. Whether it's the lyrics or the music itself, worship songs can touch hearts and evoke feelings of God's presence. A worshipful experience does not necessitate being in a church setting. By creating a quiet space, playing praise music in the background, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers, you can cultivate a meaningful connection with God through music.

David is a good example as he was a man who found inspiration in music to offer a prayer. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and Saul. He said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. (Psalm 18:1).

3. Write Prayer Points.

It is beneficial to write down your prayer requests or expressions of gratitude in a notebook or journal. Prior to praying, go through the list and use it as a foundation for your prayers. You may also initiate the process by articulating your list and elaborating on it in your prayers. Most prayers involve asking God to intervene in some way or showing appreciation for what He has already done.

Take a notebook or journal, divide the pages with a vertical line, and label one side as "Prayer" and the other as "Praise." Record and date your prayer requests. Every week, revisit your requests, and in the praise section, document when and how God has answered your prayers. Remember to include a "Thank you, Lord" expression.

Consult with friends and family about their prayer needs and include their requests and praises in your prayer journal. Practice praying for them will help you remember, and you may find it easier to pray for others than yourself. Inform them that you are praying for them and ask for updates. Record their requests as well, noting God's responses in the praise section.

You will witness how God consistently intervenes in your life. The purpose of prayer is not to inform God about your difficulties but to remind yourself to seek His assistance and guidance. Expressing gratitude reminds you to acknowledge God's abundant blessings!

Many, O LORD my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psalm 40:5).

4. Place a Chair beside You for God.

Prayer is essentially having a conversation with God as you would with anyone else. While we may not physically see Him, His absence can sometimes make it challenging to concentrate, as it may feel like speaking into thin air. One helpful tip is to set up an extra chair next to you during your prayer time and visualize God sitting in that chair. Such an arrangement can create a setting for a two-way dialogue with Him. Just like in any conversation, it is crucial to set aside moments of silence to listen and wait for God's response.

God may communicate with you by placing thoughts in your mind or providing solutions to problems you have been grappling with. Feelings of calmness and peace may wash over you, replacing any anxiety or worries you may have shared with Him. You could also experience joy or tears as you ask for forgiveness for any sins or sense an urging from God to be patient for an answer. Understanding that God is present with you can make it easier to express your prayers. Typically, individuals close their eyes during prayer to avoid distractions, but you might choose to keep your eyes open and focus on the chair instead.

. . . I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. [age] (Matthew 28:20).

5. Request the Holy Spirit to Intercede on Your Behalf.

There are times when we struggle to find the right words in prayer. Despite our efforts, we struggle to express ourselves and communicate our deepest feelings to God. At times, we are unsure of our desires or face indecision, making it challenging to put our thoughts and emotions into words.

In such instances, do not despair or become disheartened. Jesus foresaw these situations and assured His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to be their constant companion and aid. In the gospel of John 14:15-17, Jesus promised, If ye love Me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Since we are Christians, the Holy Spirit knows our deepest thoughts, problems, strengths, and weaknesses. He is acquainted with the unsaid words that burden our hearts. Therefore, when we lack words or can only express our emotions through tears, groans, or silence, we are encouraged to trust in the Holy Spirit's intercession on our behalf.

Romans 8:25-27 affirms this divine intervention in prayer: But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

6. Customize Jesus' Prayer Example.

When praying, the focus should not be on the number of words spoken or the tone of holiness conveyed. Prayer is simply expressing your thoughts from the heart, guided by God's inspiration. In the Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), Jesus talked about this issue to remind us that we don't have to pray in a certain way or in public. He emphasized the importance of private prayer, just as He often retreated to solitary places to commune with God (Luke 5:16). To connect with our heavenly Father, who rewards honest prayers said in secret, we are told to pray alone, away from other things that might distract us, like Jesus did. Matthew 6:6 tells us, But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Jesus also emphasized that the content of our prayers should be genuine and heartfelt, rather than a display of eloquence or repetition. He advised against empty and excessive words, as God already knows our needs before we even ask (Matthew 6:7-8).

Moreover, Jesus provided a framework for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. He teaches us in this model prayer to recognize how holy God is, for us to seek His will on earth, ask for daily sustenance, ask for forgiveness for our sins, forgive others, and ask God to keep us safe from temptation and evil. You will discover a natural flow of words in your prayers by starting with the Lord's Model Prayer as a foundation and personalizing it with your specific requests.

Remember, faith plays a vital role in the power of prayer, as expressed in Matthew 21:22: ...whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

7. Take a Walk.

I live in a beautiful area, and one of my favorite things to do when the weather permits is walk and talk to God. As I walk, I pray for people in the homes or businesses I pass. Personally, I do not usually pray aloud. However, I maintain an ongoing dialogue with the Lord in my mind, expressing my gratitude for the beauty that surrounds me, the wildlife that leaps from bushes, the stunning blue sky, and the sunrise or sunset. It’s also a time to talk about whatever I’m working on in ministry with Him.

Getting out in the fresh air of God’s creation inspires a conversation with the Creator. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8).

I hope one of these seven ways will bless your prayer life. It’s time to pray!