Let's address your concerns together, dear friend. Firstly, it's completely normal to feel at a loss for words while praying, or to feel like you're not sure what to pray for. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray for: "In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered" Romans 8:26 (WEB). The Holy Spirit is able to express our deepest desires and needs even when we do not know how to.
Also, Jesus Christ as our High Priest and Savior is interceding for us.
When you pray, you don't need to use eloquent language or have a long list of requests. The Lord just wants you to come to Him as you are, and He desires a relationship with you.
Remember, prayer is not just about asking for things; it's also about worshipping, thanking, and seeking God's will. Here's a simple way to structure your prayers using the acronym ACTS:
Adoration: Praise God for who He is.
Confession: Confess your sins and ask for forgiveness.
Thanksgiving: Thank God for His blessings and goodness.
Supplication: Ask for His help and provision.
Also this:
Praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints Ephesians 6:18 (WEB). So we see that we pray in the Spirit. We also watch and persevere and are requesting for all saints. We all need prayer. Prayer is not something we do when we need something or when things are going bad. It is a continual communication with God.
Regarding your feelings of anxiety and not feeling like yourself, we want to remind you that God cares about every aspect of your being—including your emotions and health. In the Bible Jesus addresses this:
"Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!' But they did not all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our report?' So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, didn't they hear? Yes, most certainly, 'Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.' But I ask, didn't Israel know? First Moses says, 'I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation, with a nation void of understanding I will make you angry.' Isaiah is very bold, and says, 'I was found by those who didn't seek me. I was revealed to those who didn't ask for me.' But as to Israel he says, 'All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." Romans 10:13-21 (WEB). In this we see that salvation comes by calling on Jesus. We believe in Jesus and the Good News. We hear the Good News and believe in Jesus. We believe in Jesus to the exclusion of all other gods, religions, and spirits. We do not pray to Mary, angels, or saints. We pray to God the Father only through Jesus.
You also mentioned that you've been feeling sick with anxiety. God wants you to cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7 (WEB). We see that we are to petition or ask God for help through prayer. We do this with thanksgiving. We see that while we are anxious for nothing, we are to be thankful for everything. We do this and we will have peace in our hearts and thoughts. This peace is beyond understanding. This peace will guard our hearts and thoughts.
Let's pray together:
"Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You, lifting up our dear friend. Lord, we thank You that You hear our prayers, even when we don't know what to say. We praise You for Your goodness and faithfulness.
Father, we confess that we often struggle with knowing how to pray, and we thank You that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We ask that You help our friend to persevere in prayer, and to trust in Your perfect will. We confess that we need to pray continuously. We confess that we need to pray for all saints. We confess that we need to pray in the Spirit.
Lord, we also bring before You our friend's feelings of anxiety and not feeling like themselves. We pray that You would comfort them, cast out all fear and anxiety, and replace it with Your perfect peace. We ask for Your healing touch upon their body, soul, and spirit.
Now, Lord, we ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who is our only way to God the Father. We thank You that You hear our prayers, and we trust in Your will. Please continue to work in our friend's life and draw them closer to You. Please give our friend the understanding of the Gospel, belief in Jesus, salvation, and the ability to call on Jesus.
In Jesus' name, we do pray and do give thanks. Amen"
Remember, God is always with you, and He wants you to trust Him with all your heart. Keep praying and seeking Him, and He will guide your prayers. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior please do so now. Believe in Jesus and only Jesus for salvation. Call on Jesus and only Jesus. Please let us know if you need any further guidance on becoming a Christian or having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Please let us know if you have any other needs, concerns, or prayer requests.