When Praying Feels Hard

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” — Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

Have you ever sat in silence, holding your Bible but there were no words?

There was a season when I sat with my Bible open, tears falling on pages I couldn’t even read. I wanted to pray, but all I could do was breathe. My heart was heavy, and my words felt stuck somewhere between sorrow and surrender.

But even in that silence, I could sense Him -near, patient, listening. That’s when I learned something powerful:

Prayer isn’t always loud… sometimes it’s just being alive and sitting in His presence.

There were days I couldn’t find words, but I could still worship. I could still let the songs play and I would cry. I listened to preachers and prayers online. Sometimes I could still whisper the name of Jesus and I could feel my help coming. Sometimes for a fleeting moment, sometimes a few hours or a even few days. But then, nothing.Nothing but pain, emptiness and weariness. But, even when my strength was gone, He heard my tears. He heard the sound of my heart reaching for Him.

As hard as it was to hold on to my faith, it was harder to imagine a life without Him. I remembered what my life was before His presence, and I knew I couldn’t go back there. Yet, I couldn’t see my way forward either.

So I stayed right there, in His presence. Because I’ve learned that nothing stays the same. Seasons shift. Hearts heal. Morning always comes.

And if I could just sit there and whisper His name… if I could just sit there and let Him wipe away my tears… I knew something would break. I knew that sooner or later, my morning would come. 

The Devotion

Prayer isn’t about perfect words. It’s about presence. God invites us to come as we are - raw, tired, joyful, messy. When all you can offer is a whisper, a tear, or even silence, that still counts as prayer.

When Jesus prayed in the garden, He didn’t sugarcoat the pain. He wept. He asked. He surrendered. And in your hardest moments, you can do the same.

Here’s what to remember when prayer feels hard:
• You don’t have to pray long - just pray real.
• Tears are prayers too.
• The Holy Spirit intercedes when you can’t. (Romans 8:26)

So take a deep breath. Sit in stillness. Let God meet you there. He’s not asking for fancy. He’s asking for you.

A Prayer

God, sometimes I don’t have the words. Life feels heavy, and I feel far from You. But I believe You’re still near. I trust that You hear even the silent cries of my heart. Strengthen my faith when I feel weak. Help me lean on Your love, not my ability to “pray right.” Thank You for never letting go of me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Affirmation of the Week

Even in silence, God hears me.
My prayers still matter.
I am still His.

This devotion was written from the same heart behind my upcoming prayer journal, When Morning Comes: Praying Through the Dark Times - a 30-day journey of hope and healing for the woman holding on for her sunrise. Expected release: end of this year.

Until then, may you find rest in His presence and remember - your silence still speaks to God.

Gentle Invitation

If today’s devotion touched your heart, take a moment this week to draw near to God through prayer and reflection. Visit Hidden in My Heart Creations to spend time with God through the Girl… Pray! Journal and other faith-rooted treasures that strengthen your prayer life.