“I put an empty hand on an empty head and said an empty prayer.”
Several years ago, I heard Dick Mills speak. He shared an episode from his life. He had been ministering in a church. He was finished speaking with the people. He was tired, hungry, and he had no energy. As he was walking out the door, a woman approached him for prayer. He then said, “I put an empty hand on an empty head and said an empty prayer.” As he turned to walk away, the lady was healed, right then and there.
That story gives me hope. There are people I have prayed for over several years. Although I have seen shifts in their circumstances or their personalities, I still have not seen a total answer to my prayers. Sometimes, when I am praying, I feel like I am praying “empty prayers.” The requests are the same, but it has been so very long, and I just kind of mouth the words.
Jesus encourages his followers to pray and not give up. “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 Amplified.
All well and good but when we have asked for so many years, so many decades, what do we do? Even though it seems like sometimes we are praying just “empty prayers,” we should do just what He said. Keep on asking, keep on seeking an answer and keep on knocking til the door is opened.
The true lesson from Dick Mills’ story is this. The ultimate answer from God does not depend on us, it depends on Him. His timing, His reasons, and His way of doing things. So if you are like me and sometimes you feel like you are praying “empty prayers,” take heart. He hears us. He will answer, immediately, eventually or ultimately.
Thank you for sharing this Valerie. This is so very encouraging to not give up on praying for something, because it does not indeed depend on us but on God. Amen 🙏🏽
I prayed 40+ years for someone to come to Christ. At times my prayers felt empty as they continued to reject Jesus. A couple years ago she came to Christ. It was a lesson to me to never stop praying.
Oh no! Glad they’re not regular. I was OK when I was younger, then they got all messed up due to perimenopause – hoping menopause will calm them down! Best wishes, Linda xx
What touches me in this story is precisely its honesty. The fact that someone can say, “I prayed an empty prayer,” shows how human the experience of faith truly is. There are moments when exhaustion, routine, or years of waiting make us feel as though we are simply repeating words. And yet, God does not depend on the intensity of our emotions, but on His faithfulness.
Sometimes we think the power of prayer lies in how “full” we feel, but perhaps it rests more in the quiet trust that He is working even when we see or feel nothing special. Perseverance is not about spiritual performance, but about
relationship.
Perhaps “empty prayers” are, in fact, prayers of mature faith — spoken not out of enthusiasm, but out of steadfastness. And there is a particular beauty in that.❤️🙏❤️
Valerie Cullers 
Thank you for sharing this Valerie. This is so very encouraging to not give up on praying for something, because it does not indeed depend on us but on God. Amen 🙏🏽
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Thank you for reading and weighing in….so appreciate it!
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My dad once preached a sermon on “Prayer: The Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love.”
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Oh, I wish I would have heard it. He sounds like the kind of man I would have liked!
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I think you would have liked him. He lived his faith.
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What a blessing he was in your life!
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Don’t I know it!
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I too would’ve liked to hear that message.
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😊
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Amen 🙏 Even when we feel empty, God is not. He hears every prayer, and He answers in His time and His way. We just keep praying and trusting Him. 🙏
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You’re absolutely right!
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I prayed 40+ years for someone to come to Christ. At times my prayers felt empty as they continued to reject Jesus. A couple years ago she came to Christ. It was a lesson to me to never stop praying.
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Thank you so much for sharing this. It gives us all hope!
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I once had a friend who reminded me to be a patient patient when it came to prayers for healing. lovely post! Linda xx
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We always need friends like that don’t we? I have had migraines on and off since I was a teenager…no fun!
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Oh no! Glad they’re not regular. I was OK when I was younger, then they got all messed up due to perimenopause – hoping menopause will calm them down! Best wishes, Linda xx
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Yes, I do too. Mine got less during that time.
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Naughty hormones!
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😍
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What touches me in this story is precisely its honesty. The fact that someone can say, “I prayed an empty prayer,” shows how human the experience of faith truly is. There are moments when exhaustion, routine, or years of waiting make us feel as though we are simply repeating words. And yet, God does not depend on the intensity of our emotions, but on His faithfulness.
Sometimes we think the power of prayer lies in how “full” we feel, but perhaps it rests more in the quiet trust that He is working even when we see or feel nothing special. Perseverance is not about spiritual performance, but about
relationship.
Perhaps “empty prayers” are, in fact, prayers of mature faith — spoken not out of enthusiasm, but out of steadfastness. And there is a particular beauty in that.❤️🙏❤️
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. I love your take on the subject and it definitely gives me food for thought.
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