How long should I pray when I start again?

Two minutes is enough. A short prayer you repeat every day does more for the habit than a long prayer you skip. Add time later, only if you want to.

What if I do not know what to say?

Say what is true: "I do not know what to say." You can also read a Psalm aloud or use a written prayer. Borrowed words are still prayer.

What if I miss a day?

Pray the next day. Do not go back and make up for it. A missed day does not undo the others.

Do I have to pray the way I used to?

No. If the old routine feels heavy, build a smaller one. Your prayer can look different now than it did before.

Is it okay to pray with written prayers?

Yes. People have prayed written prayers, including the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, for centuries. Let them carry you until your own words come back.

How to Start Praying Again

Why does starting again feel so hard?

Most people who stop praying do not decide to stop. Life gets busy, a hard season makes prayer feel pointless, or a long gap makes coming back feel awkward. The awkwardness often carries guilt, and the guilt makes it easier to wait one more day.

You can put the guilt down. Jesus tells a story about a son who left home and came back. His father saw him "while he was still a long way off" and ran to meet him (Luke 15:20). Many readers take that story as a picture of how God receives people who return. You do not need to prepare a speech.

What is the simplest way to start?

Pick a time you already have. Right after you wake up, during a commute, or before you turn off the light. Attach prayer to something you already do.
Set two minutes. A short time is easier to repeat than a long one.
Say one true sentence. "God, I am here." "God, I do not know what to say." "God, I am tired." Any of these is a prayer.
Stop. Do not push for more. Ending while it is still easy makes tomorrow easier.
Do it again tomorrow, at the same time.

What does a first week of praying again look like?

Here is a plan you can follow. Each day takes about two minutes.

Day 1: Say "God, I am here." Nothing else is needed.
Day 2: Name one thing you are thankful for today.
Day 3: Name one person and one thing they need.
Day 4: Tell God one thing you have been avoiding saying.
Day 5: Read Psalm 23 slowly, then pray one line from it in your own words.
Day 6: Sit in silence for one minute, then say what came to mind.
Day 7: Tell one person you trust that you are praying again, and ask them to pray for you.

If you miss a day, start the next day where you left off. Do not restart the week. For more questions to answer on any day, see the prayer prompts.

What do I do if I feel nothing?

Feeling close to God is not a test of whether prayer is working. Many people pray for weeks in a flat mood and notice the change later. Keep the prayer short and honest, and do not judge it by how it feels.

The Bible speaks to this. Paul writes that the Spirit helps us in our weakness when we do not know what to pray (Romans 8:26). If you have no words, you can use someone else's. The guide on what to pray when you do not know what to say has short prayers you can borrow.

What if I am angry or I doubt?

Say so. Many of the Psalms are complaints. Psalm 13 opens with "How long, Lord?" and says it plainly. In Mark 9:24 a father says to Jesus, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief." Both are honest prayers, and both are in the Bible. You are allowed to pray from where you are.

Should I pray with someone else?

It helps many people. A friend or a small group can hold the prayer when your own is thin, and they can ask how it is going. James 5:16 tells believers to pray for each other. You can start with one text: "Would you pray for me this week? I am trying to pray again."

Praize is one way to do this. It lets people ask for prayer and hear someone pray for them by name, out loud. It is in beta on iPhone and Android, and it is early. A text to a friend works just as well.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, please seek support from a qualified professional. A pastor or a trusted friend can also walk with you.