When we speak of prayer, we often think of words — spoken, whispered, or even memorized. But in truth, the heart of prayer is not found in what we say, but in the love with which we say it. The words are like a vessel; the heart is what fills it. God listens not to eloquence but to sincerity. As Scripture tells us, “The Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Many of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture are simple and short: “Lord, have mercy,” “My God and my all,” “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” These are not polished speeches but cries of love and faith. Even when we cannot find words, the Holy Spirit prays within us “with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). This reminds us that true prayer begins where our hearts turn toward God — even in silence.
That said, words still matter. They help shape our thoughts and express what’s within us. The Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer, and the prayers of the saints give us language to join our hearts to the Church’s faith. Words become holy when they rise from love. Repeating a prayer like the “Our Father” isn’t empty when it’s said with attention and trust; it becomes a doorway into the mystery of God’s will.
In the end, prayer is about relationship. We don’t need to impress God — He already knows us completely. What He longs for is our presence, our openness, our trust. Whether our words are many or few, whether we pray aloud or in silence, the heart that loves and listens is the heart that truly prays.
May we learn to pray not only with our lips but with our lives — that every word, every breath, may become a whisper of love to God who listens to the heart.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
