This may be a silly question...

[Stephcrawfish]

I can tell from browsing the board that many of you are very articulate with prayer. My question is... have you always been good at that? Are any of you shy about praying out loud?

I am sure that I had a severe case of stage fright, and I know that the best way to overcome it is to step out of my comfort zone. I sing in front of large crowds all the time now (and I dont shake like a leaf anymore while I am doing it... at least not always) It has taken me literally years of doing that to get where I am now. But I have a real problem with public speaking. And for me, prayer falls into that category. To date, I think I have prayed out loud with a group of people as many times as I can count on my fingers. And I turn bright red every time I do it.

I was not raised in a family that prayed together often... and we did not go to church at all. But I have made it a point to rear my children in a church and to help them develop a close personal relationship with God. So we pray before we eat meals and at bedtime for now... but I know I need improvement here to lead as an example. When I pray silently during the day and at bedtime, I am full of words to share with my Lord, but I get overwhelmed when I try to do it out loud, and become a blubbery mess!!! LOL

I also get a little frustrated... because I wish my husband would do more of it. I think he would do better with praying out loud... but his journey with a relationship in Christ is still a bit green. I pray for him often that he will embrace his job as the paternal leader of this family and share that more with our children and each other, especially our young boys!

anyway... sorry this turned into a novel... but I guess I am wanting some feedback to motivate me and help me with this little struggle.

 

[Cody]

I understand how you feel. I know exactly what to say in a silent prayer to the Lord, but praying out loud is a different story. I'm like you, when I was a little kid I was never taught to pray out loud.

My preacher at church got me to say the prayer for offering in front of the whole church. I think that helped me a lot. I was so nervous, but after awhile it didn't seem as bad. My advice is just to keep on praying out loud. Instead of praying silently by yourself, say it out loud to yourself. Remember don't try to impress anyone. When you pray silent or out loud the main thing you want to do is make sure you have a humble heart and your mind is on God and Him only.

You're in my prayers. The devil thinks he can keep you from praying out loud, prove him wrong, sister.:wink:

 

[rizen1]

I got saved in a very active Non denominational church, where we prayed alot. We always had 24hr prayer service, we prayed and fast, all night prayers, we meet at each other houses for prayer. We were stuck on God, so it become natural.

At 14, I would be going over at my youth leaders house to pray.
Its a freedom we have and we must exercise it.
Its not something you train yourself to do, it comes natural.

5 words are just as powerful to a 10min prayer. God doesnt look at the amount of words or your vocabulary. He looks at your heart.

Matthew 6:5-6: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...."
.

Develop a strong prayer life at home,
ask God to give you words to speak when you're in public,
ask him to give you courage.

And that's it, there's no formula basically it's you talking to the Father with a sincere heart.

He rebukes two revolting faults in prayer, ambition, and vain babbling ( Geneva Bible Study )

 

[Ann]

Hi Stephcrawfish

First of all I just want to say it is not a silly question because I think you will be surprise to know how many people have the same problem.

In my line of work I have to present workshops to crowds of people. I have absolutely no problem doing that, my workshops usually last about 6 hours and I talk all the time.

When it comes to praying out loud I can't, not even with a friend?

I don't know why, there can be several reasons, I was never taught to, I am naturally very shy, I feel self conscious, I think that the people may think my prayer is improper or stupid - I can go on and on.

On the other hand I can talk to God the whole day about anything without a problem but I don't do that out loud.

We are all unique people with strong points and weak points and praying out loud is a weak point for me.

What I'm doing is, I don't make an issue of it in my mind. I gave it to God and I believe that He will help, guide and teach me in due time. Transforming me is a big job and I am patient and I give God time to get to everything in His time.

Hope it helps.

Blessings!

 

[Stephcrawfish]

Thanks for the feedback. I am sure I can overcome this, I am going to work at it for sure. That will probably help to do my private prayers out loud. I say the Lord's prayer out loud all the time at church and that doesnt bother me... but it is because everyone is doing it of course.