Talking to God Without Saying a Word

I've long believed that the best prayers I've ever prayed were either wordless or nearly so.  Yet when I've expressed this to other people, even to other Christians, I don't recall ever getting an affirming response.  Maybe they think I'm saying that I pray without purpose, that I simply take some posture of prayer - kneeling, bowing, etc. - and remain silent without a specific aim in mind.  But that's not what I mean.  Rather, I mean when I'm afraid or hurt or anxious or ashamed or trying to make a decision where I don't like any option, many times the best I can do is to bow my head and groan or cry before the Lord.  I really don't know what to say and often don't know what to ask for.

Below is a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon.  It has greatly encouraged me concerning my wordless prayers.  He said:

“Often a poor, brokenhearted one bends his knee but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears.  Yet, that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music.  That tear has been caught by God and treasured in heaven.  The suppliant whose fears prevent his words will be well understood by the Most High.  He may only look up with misty eyes.  Tears are the diamonds of heaven, and sighs are part of the music of Jehovah's court.  They are numbered with the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high.  Do not think that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded.  Jacob's ladder is lofty, but our  prayer will climb its starry rounds.  Our God not only hears but also loves to hear it.  “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble” (Psalm 9:12).  . . . wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, a lip quivering with agony, a deep groan or penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open.”