When You Have No Words to Pray: Finding God in the Desert Seasons

“And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.’” —Genesis 21:17

Most of us are familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac. But what about Abraham’s other son, Ishmael? Born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant, Ishmael and his mother were eventually sent away into the desert (Genesis 21:14).

What follows is a powerful moment of divine mercy.

A Mother’s Desperation, A God Who Sees

Alone in the wilderness with her son, Hagar runs out of water—and hope. She cannot bear to watch Ishmael die, so she distances herself, weeping in agony.

It’s in this moment of utter despair that Scripture says:

“And God heard the voice of the boy…” (Genesis 21:17)

Even though there’s no record of Hagar or Ishmael offering a formal prayer, God shows up. Hagar sobs, Ishmael cries—and God hears. He doesn’t wait for polished prayers or perfect posture. He responds to raw need.

God Meets Us Where We Are

Suddenly, a well appears to nourish them (Genesis 21:19). This moment is striking. Hagar didn’t cry out to God. She simply said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy” (Genesis 21:16, NIV). Still, God met her in her grief.

We don’t even know if Hagar or Ishmael followed the God of Israel at this point. And yet, God listened. God moved. He saw their suffering and responded with provision and presence.

This tells us something important: God's nearness is not dependent on our eloquence or religious performance.

When You Can’t Pray, God Still Hears

Psalm 34:18 assures us:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

There will be seasons when we don’t know what to say. We might feel too anxious, too bitter, too exhausted. But even then, God remains close.

He is our Shield. Our Refuge. Our Strength (Genesis 15:1). Even when we don’t understand what He’s doing, we can trust that He is working—often behind the scenes—for our good and His glory.

Reflect

How has God shown up for you in the dry, desert seasons of your life?
What does this story teach you about the character of God?
In what ways can you grow in your prayer life, even when words feel hard to come by?

A Prayer for the Desert Season

Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being with us—even when we don’t feel You. Thank You for Your presence in the moments that feel hopeless and dry. Help me rest in Your nearness and trust in Your provision. Even when my faith feels like a whisper, remind me that You still hear me. You are my Refuge and my Strength. In Your holy name, I pray and praise. Amen.