"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Romans 8:26, NIV).
Growing up, prayer seemed so easy. I prayed at meals, when I brushed my teeth, when I went to bed, and when I was stressed. It was the first reaction to my problems, the last thing I thought about before I drifted off to sleep, and how I took care of others.
As I matured, however, prayer became something I went through the motions of. It was no longer something I got to do, but had to do. And that's when I realized there was a problem.
In Romans 8:26-27, we read these words:
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God" (NIV).
What I love about this passage of Scripture regarding prayer is that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we're weak, weary, or too exhausted to pray. But more than that, He's not expecting prayer to look a certain way. He's looking at the condition of our hearts.
Even when you don't know the words to say, even when you miss the "good old days" of what prayer used to look like for you, remember this: It's okay to mourn old spiritual rhythms, but prayer isn't about performance, but presence. And Christ works best through our weakness. When we're weak, then we're truly strong. Because we're learning to rely on Him. We're acting not of ourselves, but from Him within us.
Paul, in 2 Corinthians, explains this principle this way:
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Paul didn't like having a thorn in His flesh. Who does? But even when it remains, he maintains fellowship and intimacy with God. And how did that happen? Through conversations of prayer.
Today, I'd challenge you to ask yourself: What am I expecting prayer to look like right now? Then, I'd encourage you to reflect on your answer with the Lord. Instead of putting unnecessary stress on yourself to make prayer look a certain way, remember that God delights in hearing from you. Maybe you can't pray "the way you used to," but maybe you were never meant to. We're constantly evolving and changing. Humans long to know their Creator more. How will you seek Him more authentically and honestly today? How will you come to Him in prayer?
If you're looking for a practical way to come back to God in prayer, try using the A.C.T.S. acronym.
First, acknowledge who God is. In your own words, address Him. Call Him God, Jesus, Father, Friend, Dad. Make it personal and relatable.
Second, confess anything standing between you and God. You don't have to be embarrassed about this, but you do have to be honest. Search your heart and ask God to search yours often as David did in Psalm 139.
Third, thank God for anything and everything. Not just who He is, but what He's done. Try to think of at least three things to praise Him for, even if it's just being alive, seeing the sunshine, or texting a friend. Gratitude does wonders.
Fourth, present your supplications to Him. Supplication is a fancy word for request, but this step means asking God for what you need. Notice I said what you need and not necessarily what you want. God knows and only wants the best for His kids.
In following these steps, I pray that you will return to commune with our God. Remember, He longs to hear from you, as you are. And it doesn't matter if you can't pray like you used to.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Wenping-Zheng
Related Resource: Hope, Chronic Illness, and Trusting God with Your Kids
When faced with parenting crises, special-needs challenges, fear, and exhaustion, how do you keep moving forward?
Sarah Walton is an author, wife, and mom of four whose family has faced chronic illness, a son with severe behavioral episodes, and years of uncertainty without answers. In this conversation, Sarah talks about what it looked like to survive the hardest seasons of motherhood and how her faith carried her through.
She shares how she learned to grieve her expectations, hold hope and acceptance together, and find small joys when everything felt dark. She also offers practical words for how to support a friend who is suffering — and what not to say. Her new book is "Jesus Will Meet You There." If you like what you hear, be sure to follow The Happy Home Podcast with Arlene Pellicane on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Thursday, 11 June 2026.
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