Are Words Necessary for Prayer?

Over the years, I've found that some of my most sincere prayers were the ones for which I had no words. Sometimes language gets in the way of a real heart to heart with the Creator.

For example, when my friend Cheri was killed in a car accident, words could not express my grief. To say, "This hurts...this can't be...this is horrible, etc." would all have been reasonable responses. But they didn't express my soul. My feelings ran deeper. So, I just curled up on my bed, closed my eyes, and sent my grief to God without words. Or I said, "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God" over and over to him.

Other times, I have been filled with unspeakable adoration and praise. Private moments of wonder cannot always be put into language. In fact, the Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary defines adoration in terms of physical, not verbal, expression. (To show adoration, one kissed the hand or fell down prostrate.) King David once worshipped God by joyfully dancing in the streets. (2 Samuel 6:14)

What about overwhelming gratitude? When my children were placed into my arms for the first time, no words could express my gratefulness. Tears, sent heavenward, can say thank you more eloquently than Shakespeare ever could.

Brother Lawrence, in his classic work The Practice of the Presence of God, wrote of an abiding awareness of God's presence while he went about his routine household chores. He mastered the art of simply attuning his spirit to God's constancy.

Of course, the Scriptures are full of model prayers and instructions for things to speak of in prayer. I am not discounting engaging in language when praying. I'm advocating other modes of communication with God as well. Sometimes simply being still and listening may be the best, albeit the most difficult, exercise of effective prayer.

As for me, I'm glad that words aren't always necessary. I don't always know what to say. I see a problem, but I don't know the solution. I see a hurting heart, but I don't know the correct spiritual salve to apply. I don't have to. The Bible says that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us before the throne of God. Often, I simply admit my ignorance of how to pray, confess my need of help, and ask them to do the asking.

By the way, the members of the Trinity might also choose to pray without using words. Romans 8:26 says, "...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (NIV)

Gettin' Real!
Melodie