Homily, When Words Fail Us
The Ninth Sunday after the Pentecost, Proper 11A (2026)
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Plant City, FL
The Rev. Derek M Larson, TSSF
Today’s Lectionary Readings:
1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52
In the name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have you ever been at a loss for words?
For many of us it doesn’t happen too often, but I’ll tell you that I have never seen people more at a loss for words than when a group of Episcopalians are asked for a volunteer to pray.
Like before a meal or a meeting. Would anyone like to lead us in prayer?
Shhhh… Quiet.
That’s not always true, but you know what I mean. We are largely not comfortable with praying out loud in front of others. We don’t really know how.
And honestly, I think that perhaps one of the reasons for that is that we are blessed—and perhaps a little spoiled—in the Anglican tradition with some of the most eloquent and beautiful prayers of the English language. The Book of Common Prayer is full of them.
Like today’s collect.
“O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
It is absolutely beautiful. And chooses all of the right words. It’s concise, but not empty. Poetic, but accessible.
And so when we set out to pray (especially in front of others) we have this idea in our heads that we have to sound like Thomas Cranmer, the writer of these prayers. And we are at a loss for words.
Oh, but our Evangelical siblings. Our baptist and pentecostal and non-denominational brothers and sisters. They have the words. Ask them to pray and they’re off to the races. They pray quickly and passionately, full of emotion, filling every moment of silence with a “Jesus, thank you Jesus, yes Lord, please, Amen. Jesus. Amen.” It’s powerful and perhaps a bit overwhelming. A bit exhausting. And may call to mind Jesus’ words in Matthew, “they think God will hear them because of their many words.”
That’s not always true, of course, but you may know what I mean. We as humans, can sometimes, get a bit carried away with our words.
And then for all of us there are those times when we are alone. Alone with our grief. Alone with our anger. Alone with our anxiety and frustrations and pain and worry. And we go before God in prayer. And our words are not enough. We may have them, but they don’t seem to fully carry the weight that’s in our heart. They ring hollow. Inadequate. They fail us. And we wonder if God can hear our words.
Sometimes in prayer we are left without words.
Sometimes in prayer we speak too many words.
Sometimes in prayer our words seem to fall short.
And it is for that reason, that St. Paul writes to the Romans in today’s epistle, “we do not know how to pray as we ought.”
That rings true, doesn’t it? We don’t! Our prayers are not always so good, are they? And even if they sound good, we may not even be praying for the right thing. We don’t always pray as we ought.
But what does the passage say?
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Wow. When our words fail us, the Spirit prays for us. When our words fall short of reaching out to God, the Spirit places our heart directly in the hands of God.
Maybe words are overrated when it comes to prayer. Maybe prayer is really not so much about what we say at all. Maybe prayer is more about presence. About showing up.
And when we show up, we find that the Holy Spirit has also shown up. And whatever inadequacies we carry with us, the Spirit makes up for. And whatever prayers we are lacking, the Spirit fills in the gap.
Perhaps our primary task in prayer is not about words at all, but simply being present and letting the Holy Spirit do the rest.
That would be good news wouldn’t it? That would be comforting, encouraging, empowering.
Because if that’s true,
Your prayers don’t have to be perfect.
They don’t even have to be adequate.
In fact, you can completely flunk at praying.
And even then, if you simply show up God hears you.
Praying is not about eloquence.
It’s not about understanding.
It’s not about having just the right thing to say.
Prayer is about showing up.
Because the real work of prayer is not even done by us.
The real work of prayer is done quietly within us.
Silently and subtly the Spirit joins our hearts to God.
Words are simply a tool for showing up so that God can do the rest.
And whether we have too little of them,
Or too many of them,
Or they all fall short.
If we show up, God shows up.
Indeed, God had already shown up and was just waiting for us.
So who would like to lead us in prayer?
The truth is, the Spirit does that. The Holy Spirit is the one that leads us in prayer. Words or no words. Eloquence or not. The Spirit leads our prayers. We just have to show up. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
- When have I felt at a loss for words in prayer, and how did I cope with that feeling?
- How do I respond to the beautiful prayers found in the Book of Common Prayer? Do they inspire me, or do they sometimes intimidate me?
- Can I recall a time when I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit during my prayers, particularly when my words felt inadequate?
- What does “showing up” in prayer mean for me, and how can I cultivate a more consistent practice of presence in my relationship with God?
Thoughts on Faith 