Most people approach prayer with a goal in mind.
They pray for answers.
They pray for direction.
They pray for change—in themselves, in others, in the world.
And yet, when those answers don’t come in the way they expect, frustration sets in. Doubt creeps in. They begin to wonder if they are praying “correctly” or if God is even listening.
But what if prayer isn’t about getting something from God?
What if prayer is about being with Him?
The Shift: From Petition to Presence
Many of us have been taught that prayer is about asking and receiving. And yes, Jesus did say:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
But He also said:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
One is a call to seek.
The other is an invitation to simply come.
This is where prayer shifts from striving to stillness. It is no longer about trying to get something from God, but about entering into relationship with Him.
Why Prayer Is Not a Transaction
If we see prayer as a transaction—“I pray, and God answers”—then it can easily become mechanical.
- We pray harder, thinking more effort will bring results.
- We become discouraged when we don’t hear clear answers.
- We base our faith on what God does rather than who He is.
But when we shift to seeing prayer as presence, something changes.
- We stop waiting for external signs and recognize God is already here.
- We find peace, even in uncertainty, because we know we are held in His love.
- We stop striving for control and begin trusting in the unfolding of His will.
A Different Way to Pray: Resting in God
The Celtic Christian tradition offers us a different way of understanding prayer—one that is deeply rooted in awareness rather than asking.
For the early Celtic saints, prayer was woven into life itself.
🔹 St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne would pray by walking the shores, letting the rhythm of the waves draw him into silence.
🔹 St. Brigid of Kildare prayed through hospitality, seeing every meal shared as an offering to God.
🔹 The Desert Fathers taught that prayer was not about words, but about stilling the soul to hear the voice of God within.
These saints understood something profound:
Prayer is not just about speaking to God. It is about making space for Him.
It is in the silence, in the waiting, in the surrender, that we begin to truly pray.
How to Enter Into Prayer Without Striving
If prayer is about presence, not petition, then how do we practice it?
Here are four simple ways to enter into a deeper, more restful way of praying.
1. Let Prayer Be a Meeting, Not a Request
Imagine sitting with a dear friend.
When you are truly comfortable with someone, you don’t need to fill the silence. You simply enjoy being together.
Prayer can be the same.
Instead of approaching God with a list of requests, simply sit in His presence.
🌿 Find a quiet place.
🌿 Breathe deeply.
🌿 Say nothing—just be with God.
Let your prayer time be about enjoying His presence, not about seeking an answer.
2. Trust the Unspoken
We often think we need to find the right words in prayer. But Scripture reminds us:
“The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
God knows what is in your heart before you even speak.
So instead of struggling to say the “right” things, practice wordless prayer:
🕯️ Sit in stillness and allow your heart to rest in God.
🕯️ Let go of the need to explain or justify.
🕯️ Trust that God already hears the prayers you cannot put into words.
3. Pray With Your Life
Prayer does not only happen in a quiet room, with hands folded and eyes closed.
The Celtic Christians saw prayer as something that flowed through all of life.
✨ When St. Cuthbert walked by the sea, he was praying.
✨ When St. Brigid prepared a meal for a guest, she was praying.
✨ When monks lit candles at dusk, they were praying.
Every action, when done with awareness of God, becomes a prayer.
Try this:
☀️ Offer a silent prayer of gratitude as you wake up.
☕ Whisper a blessing over your morning coffee.
🚶♂️ Walk slowly, seeing the world as God’s creation.
🌙 End the day with a simple, heartfelt “Thank You.”
When you do this, your whole life becomes an offering of presence to God.
4. Hold Others in God’s Light
Intercessory prayer—praying for others—is often where we feel the most pressure.
We want results. We want to see change. We want to feel like our prayers are working.
But what if intercession wasn’t about getting God to act, but about entrusting others to His love?
Rather than asking for specific outcomes, try this approach:
🌿 Picture the person you are praying for in God’s light.
🌿 Imagine them being held in His love, His peace, His healing presence.
🌿 Simply rest in that image, trusting that God is already at work.
You do not have to convince God to care. He already does.
You do not have to demand an outcome. You can trust in His wisdom.
This takes the pressure off and allows prayer to be a sacred act of surrender.
A New Way to Pray: Rest, Trust, Presence
If you have ever felt frustrated in prayer—if you have ever wondered why God doesn’t answer the way you expect—perhaps it’s time to step into a different way of praying.
One that is rooted in trust, not striving.
One that is about presence, not just petition.
One that sees prayer as a relationship, not a transaction.
A Simple Prayer for Resting in God
Lord,
I come before You not to ask,
Not to seek,
Not to strive,
But simply to be with You.
Let my prayers be a resting place,
A space where my soul aligns with Yours.
I do not need all the answers,
For I trust in the unfolding of Your will.
Here, in the stillness, I find You.
And that is enough.
Amen.
Reflection: A Question for You
💬 What would happen if you let go of expectation in prayer?
💬 How would your prayer life change if it was about presence rather than answers?
💬 Have you ever experienced prayer without words?
Let’s explore this together. Drop your thoughts below. 🌿✨
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Ancient Whispers 
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