How to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Say: A Bible Journaling Guide for Beginners

Introduction: Prayer Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

You want to pray.
You want to connect with God.
But when it’s time to open your mouth—or your journal—you freeze.

What do I even say?
Is God listening?
Am I doing it wrong?

If you’ve ever wrestled with those questions, this guide is for you.

Whether you’re a brand-new believer, someone returning to faith, or simply feeling stuck in your spiritual life, the truth is this:
God is not looking for perfect prayers—He’s looking for you.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you’ll learn:

• Why prayer often feels hard (and how to overcome it)
• What Jesus actually taught about prayer
• How to use simple journaling to unlock deeper connection with God
• Sample prayers and prompts for when you feel lost, overwhelmed, or ashamed
• How to use HolyJot’s Online Bible and journaling tools to make prayer a daily habit

Whether you're whispering in the dark, crying in your car, or typing a journal entry on your phone—your prayers matter.

This is your invitation to let go of fear and find your voice in prayer.

Let’s begin.

What Jesus Taught About Simple, Honest Prayer

When Jesus taught people how to pray, He didn’t hand them a script or make them feel inadequate.
Instead, He stripped prayer down to its simplest, most powerful form: honest relationship with God.

Let’s look at what He actually said—and how it unlocks freedom for you today.

📖 Jesus Warned Against “Performance Prayers”

In Matthew 6, Jesus calls out the religious people who prayed just to impress others:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others… But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”
— Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV)

The message?
Prayer isn’t a performance.
It’s private. It’s personal. It’s heart-level connection.

🧡 Jesus Gave Us the Lord’s Prayer—Not as a Formula, But a Framework

Right after that, Jesus says:

“This, then, is how you should pray…”
— Matthew 6:9a (NIV)

And then He shares the Lord’s Prayer, which includes:

Honoring God (“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name”)

Surrendering to God’s will

Asking for daily needs

Confessing sins and offering forgiveness

Seeking protection from evil

It’s not about memorizing the words—it’s about capturing the heart behind them.

This becomes powerful when you turn it into a journaling prompt:

What do I need today?

What do I need to release?

Where do I need God’s help right now?

✍️ Journaling with Jesus’ Words

Try writing out the Lord’s Prayer in your HolyJot journal and responding line-by-line in your own words.

Example:

“Give us today our daily bread…”
God, I’m worried about my finances and work stress. Help me trust You for today—not next year.

This approach turns a 2,000-year-old prayer into a present-tense conversation.

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “I don’t need fancy words…”
Exhale: “…just an honest heart.”

Simple Ways to Start Praying When You Feel Spiritually Stuck

We all hit moments where prayer feels impossible.
You know you should pray… but you don’t feel like it.
Maybe you're exhausted, angry, numb, or just too overwhelmed to start.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to feel spiritual to pray.
You just need to show up.

🧱 Tip #1: Start With Just One Honest Sentence

Forget long prayers.
Try this instead: Write one sentence to God.

Examples:

• “God, I’m tired and I don’t even know what to pray today.”
• “Help me feel something again.”
• “I don’t understand You right now—but I’m still here.”

That one line is real. And that’s what God responds to.

✍️ HolyJot Journaling Prompt:

What’s the most honest sentence I can say to God right now?
Write it. That’s your prayer.

📖 Tip #2: Use Psalms as Prayer-Starters

The Book of Psalms is full of raw, emotional prayers:

• Anger
• Fear
• Joy
• Depression
• Confession
• Praise

Try reading one psalm a day on HolyJot’s Online Bible (NIV), then write your own version below it.

Example:

Psalm 13:1 – “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?”
My version: “God, I feel like You’ve been silent lately. I need You to show up.”

Let Scripture give your soul a voice.

🔁 Tip #3: Pray With Breath, Not Just Words

When words won’t come, try breath prayers—short phrases you breathe in and out.

Examples:

Inhale: “Lord, I need You”
Exhale: “More than anything else”

Inhale: “God, be near”
Exhale: “Even if I don’t feel You”

You can write these in your journal and repeat them anytime—while driving, walking, or lying in bed.

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “Prayer is showing up…”
Exhale: “…not showing off.”

How to Journal Your Prayers (Even If You’ve Never Tried)

Journaling your prayers may feel strange at first—like you’re writing a letter no one will read.
But when you open up your journal with faith, something powerful happens:
You slow down and make space for God to meet you.

Prayer journaling isn’t about fancy sentences. It’s about honest, written conversation with the Father who loves you.

✍️ Why Write Your Prayers?

Writing helps you:

• Focus your thoughts
• Remember what you prayed for
• Reflect on how God answered
• Express emotions you might not say out loud
• Build a tangible faith history over time

It’s like building a spiritual memory bank—a written witness of your walk with God.

🛠️ What You Need to Start (Hint: Just HolyJot)

No need for pens, stickers, or expensive notebooks.
All you need is your heart… and a simple place to write.

HolyJot offers:

• A distraction-free, digital journal
• The full New International Version (NIV) Bible
• AI-powered prompts to help you when you’re stuck
• Secure cloud-based entries you can revisit any time

You can even ask Faith, your journaling companion:

“Help me start a prayer for someone I love who’s sick.”
Or:
“Help me forgive someone who hurt me.”

🧠 Try This 3-Step Prayer Journaling Flow

Start with “Dear God,” just like a letter.

Write honestly about what you’re thinking or feeling—even if it’s messy.

End with a breath of trust, like: “I don’t have the answers, but I know You do.”

Example:

Dear God, I feel stuck and ashamed. I want to change but I don’t know how. Please remind me that You’re not giving up on me. I’m trying to trust You again. Amen.

📓 HolyJot Prompt:

If God already knows your heart, what would you say if you weren’t afraid of “doing it wrong”?
Write that.

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “Lord, I’m listening…”
Exhale: “…and I’m writing too.”

Sample Prayers for When You Feel Lost, Anxious, or Ashamed

Sometimes we don’t start praying because we don’t know how to say what we feel.

So here’s good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Below are real, raw prayer examples you can journal, borrow, or rewrite in your own words. These are prayers for when life gets heavy—because even in our mess, God is near.

😔 Prayer When You Feel Lost

Dear God, I don’t know where I’m going. My life feels like a fog. I want to trust You, but I feel disconnected and unsure of what comes next. Please guide my steps, even when I can’t see the road ahead. Help me believe You’re still leading me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

📖 Try journaling after reading Psalm 25:4-5:

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth…”

😟 Prayer for Anxiety or Panic

Father, my thoughts are racing. My chest is tight. I can’t seem to quiet my mind. I need You in this moment. Remind me that I’m not alone. Be my calm in the chaos. Help me breathe in Your peace and release this fear. I surrender my anxious heart to You. Amen.

📖 Try reading Philippians 4:6-7, then journaling:

What am I afraid of right now? How can I give that fear to God?

😞 Prayer for Shame or Guilt

God, I feel ashamed of what I’ve done. I don’t even know how to talk to You about it. Part of me wants to hide. But I also believe You love me anyway. I want to be forgiven. I want to be whole. Help me bring my mistakes into Your light—and trust that Your grace is bigger than my past. Amen.

📖 Reflect on 1 John 1:9:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us…”

✍️ HolyJot Prompt:

Which one of these prayers speaks to your season of life right now? Try rewriting it in your own words.

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “I don’t have to hide…”
Exhale: “…because God still loves me.”

Turning Scripture Into Personal Prayers

One of the most powerful ways to pray—especially when words won’t come—is to pray God’s Word back to Him.

You don’t need to make it up. You just need to make it your own.

This section shows you how to take verses from the Bible and personalize them into real, raw, and relevant prayers using HolyJot’s digital tools.

📖 Why Praying Scripture Works

• It keeps your prayers rooted in truth
• It reminds you of who God is—even when emotions lie
• It gives language to feelings you can’t fully express
• It aligns your desires with God's heart

Hebrews 4:12 says:

“For the word of God is alive and active…”

When you pray Scripture, you’re not just reading ink on a page—you’re activating something alive and spiritual in your life.

✍️ How to Turn a Verse Into a Prayer

Let’s say you’re reading Isaiah 41:10:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”

Now journal it like this:

God, You said I don’t need to be afraid because You are with me. I’m holding onto that today. Even though I feel nervous about the future, I believe You haven’t left me. Thank You for being my God when I don’t feel strong.

Here’s another example from Psalm 34:18:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Your journaled prayer might be:

Lord, my heart feels broken. I feel crushed by what’s happening in my life. But Your Word says You’re close—and I need to feel You near today. Be my comfort. Be my strength. Help me believe I’m not alone.

💡 HolyJot Tip:

Use the online Bible and highlight verses that speak to your current season.
Then click “Create Prayer Prompt” or ask Faith to help turn that verse into a personal prayer.

📓 HolyJot Prompt:

Pick one verse from today’s reading and turn it into a prayer. Ask yourself: “What does this verse reveal about God—and what do I need to say back to Him in response?”

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “God, Your Word speaks…”
Exhale: “…and so can I.”

Building a Daily Habit of Prayer with HolyJot

Prayer isn’t just a one-time lifeline—it’s a daily rhythm that anchors your soul.

But let’s be honest: life is busy.
Between work, family, stress, and screen time, making room for prayer can feel impossible.
That’s why creating a simple, flexible routine is key—and HolyJot was built to help.

🕰️ Start Small, Stay Steady

You don’t need to pray for 30 minutes every day.
You just need to start small and show up.

Try this:

• Pick a time (morning coffee, lunch break, or bedtime)
• Set a goal (5 minutes to journal one prayer)
• Use HolyJot to keep your flow going, distraction-free

Consistency matters more than intensity.

🔁 Use the “3P” Method to Stay on Track

This journaling habit works well for beginners:

• Pause – Breathe, clear your mind, and invite God into the space
• Pray – Write a short, honest message to God
• Preview – Read a verse or two from HolyJot’s online Bible and write a quick reflection

That’s it. You’re done.
You just had a full conversation with your Creator in under 10 minutes.

🔔 Set Digital Reminders with HolyJot

HolyJot lets you schedule daily journaling reminders, so you never forget to reconnect.

You can even journal from your phone—on the couch, in the car, or during your break at work.
No pressure. Just presence.

✍️ HolyJot Prompt:

What’s one consistent time during your day when you could talk to God—without rushing? Journal it as a personal commitment.

Example:

“God, I want to meet You every morning at 7:30 before the world starts yelling. Help me protect that time.”

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “Even five minutes…”
Exhale: “…can realign my soul.”

Journaling Through Silence—When God Feels Far Away

There may be seasons in your life where prayer feels like talking to the ceiling.
You cry out… and there’s no response. No peace. No sign. Just silence.

This is one of the hardest places to be spiritually—when you want to connect with God, but He feels distant.
And yet, even here, journaling becomes an act of faith.

🕯️ Silence Doesn’t Mean Absence

Throughout Scripture, faithful people experienced long stretches of silence:

• David: “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)
• Job: After losing everything, he waited in silence for God to respond
• Even Jesus on the cross cried, “My God, why have You forsaken me?”

If you’re in a silent season, you’re not forsaken. You’re in good company.

📓 What to Journal When God Feels Far Away

Instead of giving up, try writing into the silence.

Here are a few journal prompts to guide you:

• “God, I don’t feel You right now, but I’m choosing to believe You’re still near…”
• “Here’s what I wish You would say to me today…”
• “Even in the silence, I will keep showing up.”

This is the sacrifice of praise—trusting God when emotions are empty.

🔁 Revisit God’s Faithfulness

In your HolyJot journal, create a special section titled “Answered Prayers” or “God Showed Up When…”

Use it to remind yourself:

• Of times He came through in the past
• Of prayers that were unexpectedly answered
• Of moments you did hear His voice

Reading old entries can spark new faith when you feel forgotten.

📖 Read Psalm 42 and Reflect

This psalm is perfect for journaling through distance:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? … Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him.”

Turn it into your own journal prayer:

God, my soul is tired. I feel distant. But I’m choosing to hope in You anyway. I will yet praise You.

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “Even in silence…”
Exhale: “…You are still God.”

Using HolyJot to Pray for Others (Intercessory Journaling)

One of the most powerful and loving things you can do is pray for someone else.

Whether it’s a friend in crisis, a sick family member, or even someone who hurt you—lifting others up to God is a sacred act. And journaling those prayers makes them visible, trackable, and deeply personal.

🤲 Why Intercessory Prayer Matters

In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul writes:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…”

When you pray for someone else, you:

• Take your eyes off your own problems
• Invite God into someone else’s story
• Participate in what Jesus is doing in their life
• Build compassion and emotional healing in your own heart

🖊️ How to Journal Your Prayers for Others

Using HolyJot, you can create a digital section called “People I’m Praying For” and write out:

• Their name
• Their situation
• A specific prayer for them
• A Bible verse that brings hope

Example:

“God, I lift up my sister Anna today. She’s struggling with anxiety and feels like she’s drowning. Remind her that You are near. Send people to comfort her. Give her rest. I claim Psalm 34:18 over her today: ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…’”

💡 Use Prompts for Different Needs

Not sure what to write? Try HolyJot’s built-in prompts or ask Faith:

“Help me pray for someone grieving.”
“Show me a verse for someone with depression.”
“I want to forgive someone who betrayed me—how do I pray for them?”

📓 HolyJot Prompt:

Choose one person who comes to mind. What would you pray for them if you were sitting next to them right now? Write that prayer as if they could read it.

You can even share it with them if led—or just let God do the work behind the scenes.

🙏 Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “God, bless them…”
Exhale: “…and work through me.”

Final Words of Encouragement — You Can Learn to Pray

If you’ve made it this far, take a deep breath—you’ve already started praying.
Not perfectly.
Not with all the right words.
But honestly, faithfully, and from the heart.

That’s exactly what God desires.

🌱 Prayer Is a Relationship, Not a Script

You don’t have to pray like your pastor.
You don’t need a seminary degree.
You just need a willing heart and a few minutes a day.

Prayer is a conversation. A connection. A soul’s cry.
It’s okay if it’s messy. It’s okay if it’s short. It’s okay if it’s silent.

As Romans 8:26 says:

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…”

God understands even the words you can’t say.

🧭 HolyJot Helps You Keep Going

Here’s how HolyJot supports your prayer journey:

• A digital Bible always at your fingertips
• Guided prompts to help you pray in every season
• A private journaling space that grows with you
• A faith companion named Faith to nudge you when you're stuck
• A place to track God’s faithfulness, one entry at a time

Whether you're on your phone in line at the grocery store, or lying in bed at night with tears on your face—HolyJot is a safe, sacred place to meet God.

📓 Final HolyJot Prompt:

Ask yourself: “What’s one prayer I want to remember forever?” Write it. Save it. Revisit it often.

🙏 Final Breath Prayer:

Inhale: “God hears me…”
Exhale: “…even when I don’t know what to say.”

Ready to Begin?

If you’re still unsure how to pray, just open your HolyJot journal and start with this:

Dear God, I don’t know what I’m doing. But I want to know You. Help me begin.

Because you already have.