Have you ever listened to a small child pray? Inevitably, it sounds a little something like, “Dear God, thank you for a good day and I hope we have a good day tomorrow and amen.”

Even if that same child has conversed with others all day long, something about the particularities of prayer can lead to a bit of tongue-twisting. If you’ve ever prayed aloud in a new setting, you may have noticed yourself having a similar experience. But prayer aloud isn’t the only place where Christians get tripped up when it comes to talking to God. Writing out prayers can feel a little tricky, too.

Am I supposed to write “Dear God?”
Do I write it like a journal entry but label it a prayer?
How wordy should I be?
What does God really want to hear from me?
What do I really need to say?

With questions like these in mind, it’s easy to give up before we even get started.

Cue Brandy Bagar-Faley and her recent article “Read God’s Words. Then Write Your Own.” Through the lens of her own experiences and practices throughout Christian history, Bagar-Faley provides encouragement and practical tips for writing out our prayers.

“The Christian diarist writes to practice seeing differently, to rehearse meeting with God in the every day and, reflecting on that encounter, to grow holier in aspect and behavior,” she writes.

Whether you start with copying down Scripture to pray or you’re ready to jump into offering your daily experiences to God in written form, there’s a place for you to start. And even when you can’t find the words, remember, the One who loves you delights in your very presence.