In dry seasons, unscripted prayer feels like a performance in an empty theater. Borrowed words break that spell. They give you something true to say before your own voice comes back.
Borrowed words are not a cop-out. They are a lifeline. They get you out of your own head, keep you from measuring prayer by originality, and remind you that the church has always known how to pray while weary.
Pages to keep close
- Psalm 13 for complaint.
- Psalm 23 for care.
- Psalm 131 for quieting the heart.
- The Lord's Prayer for a prayer small enough to survive low energy.
- A short collect for nights when you have no words of your own.
Tape them in your place. Keep them in the same mug. Fold them into your wallet. The point is not the perfect system. The point is reachability.
How to use borrowed words
- Read one psalm out loud, whether or not you feel like you mean it.
- Trace one line with your finger when reading is too much.
- Repeat one sentence of Scripture ten times instead of hunting for novelty.
- Pray "Our Father" and stop there if that is all you have.
The prayers themselves
Here they are, so that a numb night does not also turn into a search. Read one out loud, slowly. You do not have to summon the feeling first. Saying the words is the prayer. The feeling may come later, or it may not, and either way it counts.
When the pain needs words
"How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? … But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."
Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6 (KJV)
When you need a shepherd
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
Psalm 23 (KJV)
When your heart will not settle
"LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."
Psalm 131:1-2 (KJV)
When you can manage only one prayer
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen."
The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
When even a sentence is a lot
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
The Jesus Prayer. Shorten it as far as you need: "Jesus, mercy."
When the night is hard
"Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen."
A collect for the night (Book of Common Prayer)
None of these belong to a mood. They were written to be said on the days you cannot find words of your own, which is the very thing they are for tonight.
A small field guide to borrowed words
- Psalm 13 (complaint)
- Psalm 23 (care)
- Psalm 27:13-14 (waiting)
- Psalm 42 (thirst)
- Psalm 88 (darkness)
- Psalm 131 (quiet heart)
- The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
- The Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." Shorten as needed: "Jesus, mercy."
- Night prayers from any tradition: "Guide us waking, O Lord..." or "Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit."
- Short blessings: "Peace to this house." "Mercy on my friend." "Light for the morning."
You do not need to feel them. You need to say them.
Frequent questions
Quick answers
What prayers help when I have no words?
Start with Psalm 13, Psalm 23, Psalm 131, the Lord's Prayer, the Jesus Prayer, or one short collect for night.
Are borrowed prayers less honest?
No. Borrowed words can be more honest than forced improvisation because they let you tell the truth without performing.
How should I use a psalm in a numb season?
Read one psalm out loud slowly. If reading is too much, trace one line with your finger and repeat it ten times.
Carry the rule in your pocket.
Chosen Portion sets the candle for you: one psalm, one prayer, one quiet companion, every morning.