When You Don't Know How to Pray: The Biblical Practice of Lament

Episode 3 | April 14, 2026

Episode Summary

Have you ever started to pray and realized you had no idea what to say? In this episode, Valerie opens up about one of the most honest struggles in the Christian life — what to do when your prayers feel hollow, filtered, or just… not quite true. Drawing from the Book of Psalms, the Book of Lamentations, and the cross itself, Valerie introduces the ancient, biblical practice of lament, and explores why it might be the most courageous, faith-filled thing you can bring to God right now.

In This Episode

• Why we've been trained to filter our prayers — and why that's actually working against us.
• What the Greek word parresia tells us about how God actually wants us to show up.
• How David and Jeremiah modeled raw, unfiltered honesty with God, and how He responded.
• Why Jesus' final cry from the cross changes everything about how we think about lament.
• The three components of biblical lament, and why you need all three together.
• Why lament isn't just for your lowest moments, and how to make it part of your regular rhythm with God.

Featured Quote

"Lament feels the full weight of pain, and yet it still finds its way back to God."

Scripture Referenced

Hebrews 4:16 | Luke 18:9–14 | Isaiah 53:3 | Psalm 22 | Lamentations 3:19–23 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Going Deeper

Psalm 13 | Psalm 22 | Psalm 42 | Psalm 88 | Psalm 130

Connect with Valerie

Website: thepurposeproject.us Instagram: @purposeprojectcoach

About the Podcast

The Purpose Project Podcast is for Christian women leaders navigating the messy middle — the space where expectations and reality don't line up, but God is still present. Host Valerie Jones creates thoughtful, faith-rooted conversations where biblical truth, emotional health, and spiritual growth belong together for life and leadership.

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