Why Praying Silently Is Okay, Plus 6 Amazing Benefits

Honestly, there are few things more awkward to me than praying out loud publically. I know that shouldn’t be the case, but it is sometimes. So, I prefer to pray in my head. Perhaps that sounds like you? Graciously, God hears those prayers too.

As a general rule, it is acceptable to pray silently in one’s head. God is omniscient, all-knowing. Thus, He is able to read the thoughts and prayers in our mind. Praying silently can result in a deeper, more personal relationship with God. There are times when praying silently in one’s head is a best practice.

Praying silently in our heads is a way that we can encounter God. But let’s dig into what the Bible says about it and discover some of the times when it’s better to pray silently than audibly.

Yes, You Can Pray Silently

Truthfully, most prayers in the Bible are spoken out loud. That was the cultural norm, and the Bible encourages us to “lift up our voice” and “cry out” to God. So, praying out loud is something we should do and practice, perhaps more than we do. But what does the Bible say about praying silently?

Well, here are a few key verses,

“Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.” 1 Samuel 1:13

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts.” Psalm 139:23
“But you, O Lord, Know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you…” Jeremiah 12:3a
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

“Pray without ceasing…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26

These verses offer some key insights into silent prayer. First, they illustrate that God hears our silent prayers. For instance, God heard the prayer of Hannah for a child, and He gave her a son. Secondly, they show us that silent prayers are just as effective as spoken prayers.

Let’s dig into these insights a little more.

God Hears Silent Prayers

God hears our silent prayers. The Bible makes abundantly clear that God is omniscient or all-knowing (1 John 3:20). Because God is all-knowing He is able to hear our thoughts. The Bible says that he knows our needs before we even ask (Matthew 6:8). God is able to hear the silent whispers of our heart.

Not only is God omniscient or all knowing. He is also omnipresent or everywhere. This means that God both knows everything and is everywhere. God is with us as we pray silently. He searches our inmost being.

And when we don’t know what to pray, God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit prays for us, knowing both our thoughts and longings as well as God’s thoughts and will.

So, God hears our silent prayers, our inward pleadings, our desperate thoughts for His help. Because God is all powerful, all knowing, always present. But are these silent prayers just as effective and powerful as spoken prayers?

Silent Prayers are Just as Powerful as Spoken Prayers

The second thing that these verses show us is that our silent prayers are just as powerful and effective as spoken prayers. Why? Because the effectiveness of our prayers has more to do with who we pray to than how we pray.

The power of prayer lies in sincere faith in the power and person of God rather than how we choose to express our prayers. The Bible is consistently more concerned with the attitude with which we approach God in prayer than our posture of prayer.

Silent prayers can help us surrender to God and be more open and vulnerable with Him, trusting that He understands our unspoken needs. Praying in our heads is a way that we encounter God through significant and personal dialogue with God.

Times When Silent Prayer is Appropriate

Praying silent prayers in your head may be more appropriate in some situations and contexts than praying out loud. Here are some instances when individuals might want to pray silent prayer,

Emotional Pain, Crisis or Grief: Often times it can be hard to pray in circumstances like these. Simply, sitting in silence with God or praying a silent prayer offers comfort in Christ.
Praying for something that needs to stay between you and God
Praying for someone who is presently with you: Silent prayers are a great way to intercede for someone while they are still with you, without publically expressing their concerns. This is called intercession. Want to know about other types of prayer, then check out this article that discusses five other types.

Private Devotion: During personal times of devotion, like a quiet time or personal study Habit, silent prayer can foster a more personal connection with God. By the way, if you want to learn to study the Bible consistently, then check out my FREE Building A Bible Study Habit Guide (link below).
Confession and Repentance: Silent prayer is a great way to privately express remorse for sins and seek forgiveness from God.
Before making a significant decision: If you are in the process of making a life-changing or other significant decision, it is common to pray a prayer silently asking God for guidance and wisdom.

During church worship: There are times in Church when the entire body prays at one time. Often, the congregation is encouraged to pray silently as the Pastor prays audibly.
Spiritual Warfare: Silent prayer can be employed in moments of personal temptation to focus on seeking God’s protection, guidance, and strength in overcoming personal struggles.
Before Sleep: Many choose to pray silently before bedtime as a way to reflect on the day, seek God’s protection, and express thankfulness for the day’s blessings.

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Benefits of Praying Silently

Praying in our heads fosters a personal and unique relationship with God that is highly intimate. While, individual experiences can vary, some benefits of praying silently can include,

Personal Connection: Silent prayer allows us to encounter God without external distractions.
Privacy: Praying in one’s head provides a private and intimate space for individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without vocalizing them, offering a sense of confidentiality.
Reflection: Silent prayer provides an opportunity for reflection, enabling us to focus on our inner thoughts, emotions, and spiritual insights. It also offers us an opportunity to slow down and listen for God to speak to us. Want to know how to listen for God, then check out this article.

Concentration: Praying silently may help some people concentrate better as they eliminate external distractions and focus their minds on the spiritual aspect of encountering God through prayer.
Flexibility: Silent prayer can be practiced anywhere and at any time without the need for a specific physical space or specific words, allowing for flexibility in incorporating prayer into daily life. In other words, we can pray without ceasing!
Deepening Faith: For some Christians, silent prayer may contribute to a deepening of their faith as they engage in a more contemplative and personal form of communication with God.

These are just some of the benefits that you may experience the next time you pray in your head.

Overall, whether you choose to pray audibly or silently, know that God hears your prayers. He loves you and is there for you. Your prayers do not fall on deaf ears, even if they are spoken silently. So, it’s okay to pray in your head sometimes, if that makes you feel more comfortable.