When You Don’t Know What to Say, Say This

When you don’t know what to say, say blessings from scripture. Philippians 1:9-11 is a prayer for love, wisdom, and hope.

When Words Don’t Come

I didn’t know what to say.

I have friends who live in a special apartment complex in my city. They are there for different reasons: some are physically disabled, some are mentally disabled, some are financially unstable.

Their needs are varied. And their needs are usually great. They face things daily that I haven’t faced at all.

So when we deliver meals to them on Wednesday nights, they’ll occasionally want prayer.

And when they do? I often don’t know what to pray for them.

Try a Benediction

One of my friends there was slow coming to her door last week. She heard us knock and asked us to wait. When she finally opened the door, we could tell she was distressed.

She shared briefly what was going on, but she was too exhausted to explain it all. I asked if we could pray for her, and she said of course.

But what could I say? There she sat in pain in her wheelchair with more needs than resources. And I was supposed to offer what?

I wasn’t sure of her circumstances. I didn’t have time to think it through. I didn’t want to sound trite or promise something I couldn’t guarantee.

When we don’t have words to pray—for whatever the reason—we can always pray a benediction. 

Benedictions are short blessings often recited over a congregation at the end of a worship service. They remind us to stay expectant for God’s grace. (Read an encouraging article here about 5 Reasons to Recover Benedictions at Church.)

Offer Hope through Philippians 1:9-11

Every Sunday morning with my church, Pastor Pat closes out our service with these words written by the apostle Paul 2,000 years ago to the church at Philippi.

We open our hands and hearts to receive this:

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11

These words are embedded now in my soul. Our memory group at Do Not Depart (Hide His Word) recently memorized all of Philippians 1. These words keep chasing me.

So when I don’t know what to pray, I know I can safely pray these things over anybody, in any circumstance:

I pray that they will:

1. Know love, more and more
2. Gain knowledge and use wisdom to make the next right decisions
3. Be a positive influence among their friends and family
4. Stay expectant for a brighter future
5. Experience the love of Jesus for the glory of God

When I prayed for my friend, I didn’t use those exact words. I didn’t go through a checklist in my mind.

But because I’ve heard these truths spoken over me so often and because I’ve used them so much over myself in memorization and meditation, the Spirit breathes them out when I need to share them with others.

I didn’t solve my friend’s problems that day. I didn’t change her circumstances. I had so little to contribute.

But at least in offering a blessing of hope, I hope she felt more loved and less alone.

Find Your Blessing to Give

Is there a passage of God’s love that you can give to others? Find a prayer to say, if you haven’t yet. Our series this month here at Do Not Depart is a great starting point to find a blessing you can pray over others.

• It will free you to pray confidently with others regardless of circumstances.
• It will bless others with words of truth and hope and love spoken to God on their behalf.
• And it will please God that you are blessing others for Him.

It’s what He wants His kids to do for each other.

Do you have a favorite scripture you pray for others, with others? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Read more here about saying “God Bless You”—and meaning it