Jesus warned about the opposite: people who “draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” It’s possible to say perfect prayers and not mean any of them. A heartfelt prayer might be clumsy, but it’s real.
Historical Context
St Thérèse of Lisieux wrote in her autobiography that for her, prayer was “a surge of the heart, a simple look turned toward heaven, a cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy.” She often found long formal prayers hard. She prayed the way a child talks to a parent.
A Heartfelt Prayer
Lord, I don’t have fancy words today.
I just have my heart, and I’m giving it to you.
You know what’s in it: the gratitude, the worry, the things I’m ashamed of,
and the hopes I’m afraid to say out loud.
Take all of it.
I want to be close to you, not just say the right things.
Amen.
When You Can’t Find Words
Holy Spirit, pray in me what I can’t say.
Amen.
A Heartfelt Prayer of Thanks
Lord, my heart is full today.
Thank you. Just, thank you.
Amen.
How to Pray From the Heart
- Talk to God the way you’d talk to someone who loves you.
- Tell him what you’re actually feeling, not what you think you should feel.
- Slow down when you pray memorized prayers, and mean each line.
- Leave some silence.
Scripture Connection
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” — Romans 8:26
Even when our hearts can’t find words, the Spirit prays for us. A heartfelt prayer doesn’t have to be eloquent. It only has to be ours.
Related prayers
For honest prayer, see the Honest Prayer. For praying with passion, the Passionate Prayer. For St Thérèse, the Prayer for Priests by St Therese.