How to Pray Article Series: Is Praying Silently as Effective as Praying with Words?

Numerous people are curious about how to pray effectively. One of the many questions that people have about prayer is the effectiveness of praying silently as opposed to praying with words. The answer to this question is, the mode of praying, whether with words or through thoughts, does not matter. Both thoughts and words are essential to prayer.

What matters most is that when you pray, your heart should be present to Him, who you are speaking to in prayer. If you are praying but your heart is not really into it, then regardless of whether you're vocalizing your prayer or praying silently, your prayer won't be as effective as when you are praying with your whole heart, mind and soul.

Our Lord Jesus Christ did both. He prayed silently but he also prayed aloud through the liturgical prayers of the synagogue and as the Gospels show, he also raised his voice to express his personal prayer to our heavenly father.


Some people find it easier when praying out loud because it helps them to focus their thoughts on what they are saying, while others choose to pray silently and just use their thoughts in communicating with God. Your lips do not have to utter words in order for your prayer to be effective. There are times though when recited prayers with other people are encouraged. This mode of praying is also effective.

Both praying silently and praying with words is an effective means of communication with God. So long as you open your heart and mind to Him, words or just thoughts do not matter.


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