Can I Pray Without Using Words?

Can we pray without using words? Do we need to talk to pray? Often, we can find it difficult to select the right words for prayer, or to say anything at all. Sometimes, words don’t seem appropriate. The six articles listed below offer ways to spend time with God in prayer without using any words. Here are a few suggestions for praying with our arts, work, activities, songs (okay… many of those involve words), and daily tasks.   

Prayer: No Words Needed, by Lindsay Wieland Capel -- In prayer, we remember that Christ is the foundation and focal point of our lives. Prayer is about God’s presence, and no words are needed.

Art Journaling As Prayer When Words Fall Short, by Bethany Besteman -- Unlike a written prayer journal, where conversations with God are captured in words, an art journal offers something different. Scriptural art journaling can help us pray when speaking or writing feels impossible.

How Do I Pray with Music? by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- Music is a form of prayer that allows us to praise, grieve, confess, or simply sit in the presence of God, especially when we don’t have our own words to express our hearts to God.

Serving Others as Silent Prayer, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- Prayer doesn’t just involve words we say; our actions can be prayers, too. Our acts of service to someone else can be a form of active prayer, transforming simple tasks into moments of connection with God.

Praying with Your Whole Body, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- Hiking a trail in the Organ Mountains of New Mexico, every breath and step became a rhythm of silent prayers.

Baking Bread as a Spiritual Discipline, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- How can we enter God’s presence in our daily routines? Whether it’s baking, cooking, or making your favorite drink, it’s a great way to spend meaningful time with God in prayer.

May we pray for you? Share a prayer request with us here. We’ve put together a short ebook called “How Do I Pray?” which introduces six ways to reinvigorate your prayer life. Download it free right here.