How to Pray When You're Out of Words

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Lewis shifts to discuss the use of a "private prayer language" and the role of prepared prayers versus spontaneous ones. He defends the value of using set forms of prayer, such as those found in the Book of Common Prayer, arguing that these can provide a framework that helps to express prayers when one's own words fail or when emotional turmoil might make spontaneous prayer difficult. He also discusses the idea that set prayers, like those written by others, can enrich one’s prayer life by introducing new theological insights or expressing devotion in ways one might not have personally considered. Lewis emphasizes that the act of praying can itself be a form of prayer, highlighting the idea that the effort made in prayer is a significant part of its value.

[@hapennysparrow]

God wants intimacy with us like a wise parent to His child. He cares about the things that concern us and wants us to come to Him to ask. That He already knows is not the point. The point is in developing a trusting relationship with our Heavenly Father. Prayer is one means to become more aware that He listens and welcomes us into His presence. As we mature, our prayer life changes, and our relationship deepens, our trust strengthens, and our dependence upon Him grows. What a wise Father to nature us and draw us closer to Him in the process. This message from C S Lewis on why pray is beautiful.

[@grahampaice6914]

prayer is the uplifting of the heart and mind to God

[@pawninthekingdom]

Yes. Thank you

[@karlahemphill3414]

That's beautiful. Thank you so much .🙏✝️🙏

[@clementineforever]

😅 I cried out to God to love me my whole live… then after a series of major catastrophes and a couple more car accidents took friends as well, I screamed and grieved for several months- Pleeeeees love me😭😭😭 Then he Spoke … I a calm deep loving voice, “ The Desire in your heart to be loved, Is my desire in Your heart for You to love ME.” 😱 All I could say from then on was ❤ I love you ❤ I love You❤ I love You!!! As my heart continued…. Something like Living Water 💦 Poured out of my chest and miracles began - healings … and people came for prayer 🙏 I was called to Go pray for people. Till after time obstacles and unusual spiritual assaults became unbearable- then I questioned once again his love- miracles ceased. 😢

[@klausehrhardt4481]

Just a couple of tried and usefull tips: a) I am out if ideas, dear Lord, so could you inspire my prayers with what pleases and is important to you? b) Dear Lord, I am so forgetful of all good You have bestowed upon me, would you please inspire me with the remembrance of those so that I may offer You something like a true praise and Thanksgiving? It certainly would brighten my day. c) Good Lord, bestow me the wisdom to discern that wich drives me away from you, and the strenght to totally rely on you before all temptation and disordered loves. I know it is miracle, but I am in dire need of it. d) Give me a wakefull hearth of prayer, so that I may pray all the time, and have this unimaginable grace of walking in Your lovelly presence all the time, even in my sleep. So folks, hope they proof helpful. None of us is supposed to carry the world on our shoulders: the cross should suffice. Accept it and embrace it with all your love.

[@marthatowler3057]

Thank You for sharing this! Good Ideas!

[@JMc_1]

Thank you so much!

[@clementineforever]

❤We must Love Him With all Your Heart- HIM nothing else- Love Him … First Love.. Then without asking all Your needs Supernaturally line up. Always remember he wrote your 📕 book/ Journal/ Journey. Just tell Him- All I want is You as Your Only Prayer 🙏 I love You …Till It Hurts. The Flood gates open. 💦 The Dreams of Your Life were placed in Your Heart BY HIM. What we experience in Our lives and false teachings (False Shepherds) Unkind words spoken at us- False judgements layer after layer blind us and seperated of from experiencing his Truth- Love and Security. I had a dream several months ago… I was at the bottom of the mountain of God… Grieving (as usual ) And I got up turned and walked away. He then showed me I was covered in so much 💩 (like a mountain) all that was seen was my head above it and my arms poking out from the elbows out. He then spoke..” You come to me with you burdens and turn and walk away- LEAVE THEM AT MY FEET.” The following days I cried and gave him one thing at at a time. I recently noticed that a thought came with sadness… “ I wish you were here James 😢(my son who died last spring) I recognized it wasn’t my thought… I started thanking Jesus that my son is so happy to be with Him and Our Father… And he’s experiencing “His hearts desire… to be with his daddy who died when he was little and his baby brother and his grandparents. I realized I was blessed 😇 to have had them in my life for a season. As we turn memories into lessons in learning the Fathers heart- we then recognize the importance of seeing the needs of others above our own- meet theirs through prayer (even if secretly) Then like dominoes- our lives fall into place, miraculously. Forgive all that “seemed to hurt you- and in my case beat me- Know life is school/ Let’s Graduate ❤ Let’s get on to Our Purpose/His Plan - The desire HE Put in Your Heart.😂

[@klausehrhardt4481]

​@@clementineforeverPretty much relate to that. It must be though to walk that way. But there is a reason for all those sorrows, and as you said, it has been written on that journal. Hard lesson to let loved ones go, yet there is this consolation you got. Strength in weakness - same lesson here. I am more or less in the dark about my eternal background. But that of meeting other people's need and even pray in their stead is true. Spare one prayer for my soul. I'll do one for yours. Anyway, I am glad you found out you are not alone. God bless.

[@clementineforever]

@@klausehrhardt4481 Much Love ❤️ To you and Yes I will pray with You ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

[@junecarney8621]

Dear brother please pray for me and my family daily in our grief .

[@momartist56]

The Bible states that God is close to the brokenhearted. No matter what comes, He will not forsake you. May the Holy Spirit come and give you peace and rest for your soul. Psalm 139 is one of my favorites and Ps 34, of David, reminds us that God hears us and answers.

[@betsyhall5094]

God so desires a relationship with us. Yes, he knows everything we need or want. Prayer is a close relationship with our Heavenly Father!!! It brings us closer to Him. Very excellent commentary!!! I have faced many situations when i have not had the words because the hurt or situation was so deep----then The Holy Spirit takes it to Him!!! How thankful I am!!!!

[@JanetHadson-po2zr]

When the words don’t come I’m aware of them , hidden as they are , pushed down by mulch in the garden of my heart. We can’t hear seeds germinate or flowers grow. They change and grow in silence. And God presence exists within them .

[@jeanaston1532]

I believe prayer shows our reliance on God. He works through my weakness and my Need for Him. ❤❤❤

[@marymagmartha7453]

I can truly appreciate that final 'food for thought': Those that have not gone to God with those small, seemingly, insignificant prayers 🙏🏾 haven't exercised that ability and humility needed to go before Him with those earth shattering ones. Oftentimes we want to prove that we are so mature in our Walk with the Lord, that we take off the training~wheels just a little too early. In fact, so early that the first strong wind will overwhelm our Spiritual balance❣️

[@glendamclachlan2537]

God says go into your closet, no words uttered. We need to have a heart to heart with God. Be still and listen to the still small voice.

[@glstka5710]

This is Chapter 4 "Letters To Malcolm: Chiefly On Prayer". Malcolm was a made up person for the purpose of the book. Almost anywhere I dip into the well of C S Lewis I find a refreshing drink. This book isn't one of his better known ones but it is still sweet to revisit. One of the best helps I have ever gotten about prayer is his essay "The Efficacy Of Prayer" which is the 1st essay in "The World's Last Night And Other Essays", it was the 7th in "Fern Seeds And Elephants."

[@sounds_of_ferec6677]

You know your C.S Lewis

[@jojogo22]

Praise God

[@dehsa38]

Just say, "Thank-you".

[@klausehrhardt4481]

Bingo. You nailed it. Yet I can say from experience that it is rather easy to say than do, or not.

[@Dudeitallday]

I believe yahweh likes us to remind him of his true promises as revealed in the Bible. So he can confirm the truth in his word as a confirmation to us. Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened.

[@helendeacon7637]

Excellent insights. Thank you. Wow! Listen to this over again. What a great God He is!

[@claytonmkombe5878]

We have the helper Holy Spirit at that point... Romans 8:26-27

[@fredgarv79]

I looked this up and really love the passage right before that 8:26 "Likewise the spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words" I mean that's poetry. It sounds like Shakespeare

[@claytonmkombe5878]

@@fredgarv79 sure thing, children of God need not panic in any situation. Actually, the Holy Spirit's intercession in this context means he fights for us.

[@warrendavis3029]

Your great Lewis vid has answered many questions for me that I have often wondered about. Thank you so much for this post! I will refer to it often!

[@sleeperno1215]

I came to realize today that God is not a vending machine. He wants a relationship with His children. Companionship. My earthly father is constantly probing to see if I need anything. I rarely have to ask. I prayed today that God would teach me to love Him in the same way He loves me.

[@jeanaston1532]

I see that prayer shows we depend on God for our needs and as Jesus did when He lived on this planet. Jesus taught us how to pray the Lord’s Prayer.

[@TheChamp789]

Even though God knows what our sins are, we need to be specific about what we are asking forgiveness for, because in the case of repentance from sin, we need to honestly repent of those sins; and if we don't specifically say what we are asking forgiveness for, we might actually be not honestly facing up to those sins and actually repenting of them. In other words, we might be trying to hide them from God. But when we are completely honest about our sins, we can be confident that God will forgive them! If you aren't completely honest about your sin, then you likely are trying to deal with it in your own strength; and you can't get forgiveness that way. The only way you can get forgiveness is by Jesus dealing with your sin, that is, by His death on the cross.

[@gregwilkin6565]

Thank you for sharing. :)

[@melissaculpepper7663]

Relationship. God wants communion with us just as we enjoy talking with those whom we love.

[@dreamsxcaster]

This hsppened to me (I"ve told it many times) . Years ago, I was alone in my appartment praying and car alarms began to sound In that time that was really habitual and disliked them much. I felt that if I was praying I ought to thank for the alarms: I began thanking and in the moment I felt I was thakiing really no more alarms; till nowI mean they were really frequent and bothersome, now very rarely some alarm sounds a little. It reminds of mass... for thanking You in every place and time is our duty and salvation. but so many things -personal and not personal are more difficult to thank !

[@dreamsxcaster]

I just now thought this: Jesus probably was was not thanking for them when taking vendors out of the Temple.

[@klausehrhardt4481]

I am glad you found it out. It is our duty and salvation to give thanks in all circumstances. But that is again only possible by the intercession of the Holy Spirit. I myself experience it as a miracle, grumbler that I am. Wish you success in your life if prayer. First alarms, who knows what may come next. God bless.

[@sn0wy180]

the problem is I have so many things I need help with that I want to ask Him for help with, it sometimes takes me over an hour to get through everything lol

[@DJ044]

Matthew 6:8 - "Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" Isaiah 65:24 - 'I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! ' The Lord already knows what you need before you even ask, and like a good Father does, he'll take care of you. Spend equal time or more time listening to him than you do going through your own list. :) Pray this encourages you

[@Donna-cc1kt]

I don’t see that as a problem balanced with prayers for others and prayers of thanksgiving and giving glory to Him. Peace

[@bnjminvlogs]

Spending time in prayer is a wonderful thing; to have more to ask of Him is a blessing, if only to be more in His presence.

[@sherrybarker5084]

Delight yourself in the Lord and He'll give you the desires of your heart. For He already knows the things you have need of. He just asks that you spend precious time enjoying Him and delighting in His constant faithfulness ❤

[@jennypstryker401]

What writing was this from, of C.S.Lewis'?? Letters To Malcolm? or something else?

[@churchofthegreenflipflop2436]

What book or manuscript is this taken from?

[@jesussaves7973]

Why ads? So sad

[@Jerry43765]

😭😭😭

[@nickwukmir9853]

Be silent God knows what you need.

[@SajiSNairNair-tu9dk]

👉law =?

[@hayteren]

Moses spoke to God face to face. He had a body. The resurrection was real

[@brucedavenport7016]

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Romans 8:26 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.

[@colinjohn2708]

Verse 14 refers to some praying in tongues without translation in the church. Not permitted. Tongues are not the prating in the spirit in rom. 8 for it says with words that CANNOT BE UTTERED thus it is NOT tongues. Do all speak with tongues? No. Therefore it is not the sign of the fullness of the spirit. It is firstly a sign to the unbelieving Jew and secondly a sign to unbelievers not believers. This is all in 1 cor. 14. Chap 14 deals with using untranslated ( not unknown) tongues in church. It also say in chap. 13 that tongues shall cease.

[@brucedavenport7016]

@@colinjohn2708 What makes you think 1 Cor 14:14 is referring to "some praying in tongues without translation in the church"? Scriptural response please, not dogma. What makes you think praying in tongues in the church without translation is not permitted? Scriptural response please, not dogma. Romans 8:26 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. Refer: 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Regarding "tongues shall cease", read 1 Cor 13: 9-12 Re: "a sign to the unbelieving Jew and secondly a sign to unbelievers not believers." Read - Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

[@Theprimaryfocus]

I disagree with the last point. I don't treat God like he's Santa Clause. He says no a lot. I'm not completely helpless.

[@firefly11777]

Out of words for prayer is Failed!! "Nonesense"

[@aaronchandler2380]

What does praying do exactly? Clearly god doesn’t do as you ask. Are we asking god to change his mind? The whole idea of praying is strange if think about it. If you can identify your problem and figure out how to correct it why give god the credit? If you prayer goes unanswered is that still his fault or ours?

[@guanabacoaguajiraguanabaco3280]

I am still learning myself, but prayer should always be about the Father’s will. The Lord’s prayer is a good reference, “Your Will be done, in Earth as in Heaven”. People don’t get things because they don’t align with the Heavenly Father’s will. There is more to this, but I think it’s a good start for you, if you truly want to understand (and let it be also know, understanding certain things can take years, specially when it comes to matters of the spirit world and the patterns of reality).

[@aaronchandler2380]

@@guanabacoaguajiraguanabaco3280 I’ve learned all I need to know actually. The voice people hear in their heads is what they call god. That voice is you. There are no gods only you and the voice in your head. People have learned that prayer can make you feel better and make you think that you’ve actually accomplished something. The act of prayer in reality does nothing. 2 working hands are worth a million clasped in prayer.

[@bryan5327]

The purpose of prayer is to align ourselves with God, not to ask or make him do whatever we want. It is to seek his will and to establish two-way communication with the Father, where in reality we’d want to listen more than just talking. Hope this helps ✝️

[@bryan5327]

@@guanabacoaguajiraguanabaco3280agreed

[@bryan5327]

@@aaronchandler2380you said the act of prayer does nothing. What do you mean by that and how did you come to that conclusion?

[@user-nm4st5ui3j]

You lost me in the first 3 minutes