When Prayer Feels Pointless
Have you ever sat down to pray and nothing came. It’s not that you’re angry with God - just tired. Your thoughts wander. You try again. A few words stumbled out, but they didn’t feel like they went anywhere. So, you give up and start scrolling on your phone.
We’ve all been there.
If you’ve ever felt like your prayers are just echoing into space, you’re not alone. Even believer face moments when prayer feels dry, dull, or utterly pointless. We know we should pray. We may even want to. But sometimes, it just feels empty.
And that can leave us wondering: What’s wrong with me? Why isn’t this working?
The Bible doesn’t gloss over this experience. In Psalm 13, David prays, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” That’s raw pain as he feels unheard - And maybe even abandoned. The prophet Habakkuk begins with a similar cry: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?”
These aren’t rebellious outbursts—they’re faithful prayers spoken from a tired heart. And God included them in Scripture to show us something important: prayer isn’t about impressing God with eloquent words. It’s about bringing our whole selves to him, even when we feel like we have nothing to give.
If you are struggling with prayer, may I offer the following encouragement:
1. Keep Showing Up
Prayer isn’t always profound. Sometimes it’s just being with God. Sit quietly. Say nothing. He’s not looking for performance—he’s offering presence.
Like any relationship, some conversations will be rich, and some will just be sitting together in silence. But showing up still matters.
2. Let Scripture Lead You
When words won’t come, borrow them. The Psalms are full of honest, heartfelt cries to God—some joyful, some angry, some deeply confused.
Try reading Psalm 42 or 86 aloud as your prayer. God’s Word gives voice to things we can’t always articulate on our own.
3. Be Careful with Your Word Count
You don’t need to fill the space. A short, honest cry—“Help me, Lord,” or “I need you”—is more than enough. Jesus even warned against piling up empty phrases (Matthew 6:7).
God hears what’s behind the words. He knows your heart.
4. Let Others Pray for You
Don’t carry your prayer burden alone. Ask a trusted friend, your DG group, or a pastor to pray with you or for you. Sometimes borrowed faith carries us when ours is running low.
You’re not weak for asking—it’s part of being the body of Christ.
The good news of the gospel is this: Jesus intercedes for you (Hebrews 7:25), and the Spirit helps you in your weakness (Romans 8:26). Even when you don’t know what to say, your prayers aren’t wasted.
Prayer is the cry of a child to a Father who already knows, already sees, and already loves.
If prayer feels hard today, don’t panic. Don’t give up.
He is near. Closer than your next breath.
What’s helped you stay connected to God when prayer has felt hard? We’d love to hear from you!
We’ve all been there.
If you’ve ever felt like your prayers are just echoing into space, you’re not alone. Even believer face moments when prayer feels dry, dull, or utterly pointless. We know we should pray. We may even want to. But sometimes, it just feels empty.
And that can leave us wondering: What’s wrong with me? Why isn’t this working?
The Bible doesn’t gloss over this experience. In Psalm 13, David prays, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” That’s raw pain as he feels unheard - And maybe even abandoned. The prophet Habakkuk begins with a similar cry: “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?”
These aren’t rebellious outbursts—they’re faithful prayers spoken from a tired heart. And God included them in Scripture to show us something important: prayer isn’t about impressing God with eloquent words. It’s about bringing our whole selves to him, even when we feel like we have nothing to give.
If you are struggling with prayer, may I offer the following encouragement:
1. Keep Showing Up
Prayer isn’t always profound. Sometimes it’s just being with God. Sit quietly. Say nothing. He’s not looking for performance—he’s offering presence.
Like any relationship, some conversations will be rich, and some will just be sitting together in silence. But showing up still matters.
2. Let Scripture Lead You
When words won’t come, borrow them. The Psalms are full of honest, heartfelt cries to God—some joyful, some angry, some deeply confused.
Try reading Psalm 42 or 86 aloud as your prayer. God’s Word gives voice to things we can’t always articulate on our own.
3. Be Careful with Your Word Count
You don’t need to fill the space. A short, honest cry—“Help me, Lord,” or “I need you”—is more than enough. Jesus even warned against piling up empty phrases (Matthew 6:7).
God hears what’s behind the words. He knows your heart.
4. Let Others Pray for You
Don’t carry your prayer burden alone. Ask a trusted friend, your DG group, or a pastor to pray with you or for you. Sometimes borrowed faith carries us when ours is running low.
You’re not weak for asking—it’s part of being the body of Christ.
The good news of the gospel is this: Jesus intercedes for you (Hebrews 7:25), and the Spirit helps you in your weakness (Romans 8:26). Even when you don’t know what to say, your prayers aren’t wasted.
Prayer is the cry of a child to a Father who already knows, already sees, and already loves.
If prayer feels hard today, don’t panic. Don’t give up.
He is near. Closer than your next breath.
What’s helped you stay connected to God when prayer has felt hard? We’d love to hear from you!
1 Comment
Thank you for reminding me - I really needed to read this! ?