problem w/ prayer

How are you with public speaking? or is it only in prayer that you have the difficulty?

Amie

Hi, Lisa ~ am moving your thread over to the Prayer, Intercession, and Advice forum. Since it is about prayer and advice you're asking for, it would be more appropriate there. Thanks for your understanding.

People have different giftings. Some are gifted with looks, some are gifted with a beautiful singing voice, and some are gifted with speaking wonderful flowery prayers. I myself am somewhat tongue-tied when it comes to prayer. I've heard some people prayer like it's coming from a work of Shakespear, but the thing is, it's not how you say it.

Yet it need not be with poetry or wonderful sounding words. A friend of mine, when he prays just speaks as if God were another friend just sitting there. Which He is. Public speaking is one of the no.1 fears, but bear in mind, you're speaking to God. Not to the others around you.. just to God.

Perhaps you could suggest a style of prayer that I've heard that Pastor Yonggi Cho from Korea likes to use. Which is that everyone prays out loud at the same time. People praying, shouting, singing all together.

God knows what's in your heart before you even speak the words, but until you speak and verbalise your prayer it won't happen. "Ask and you will recieve... Speak and it shall be done" God has already got everything ready to go in the spirit world. Healing, finances, salvation etc. The Holy Spirit is right there next to you just waiting for you to speak and release the power and glory of God into the world. It is important that you actually say the words out loud. There's something very powerful with the spoken word. With a word we can heal, cast out demons. With our words out loud we accept Christ into our lives.

...either way Lisa, I am praying for you!...

Amie

Hey Lisa, I posted a thread recently that deals with the same problem you have, It is called Fear of public speaking. I to am petrified to pray aloud, or to even speak out loud in a group of people. I've been called on once in church to lead in prayer and i was scared to death. Just this past sunday they called on me to stand and introduce my new baby daughter to the church. Well let me tell you i was just about sick, i was so scared. Lately i've been thinking you know when you pray your eyes are closed, and you are in a one on one conversation with God, and i like you have a very good prayer life, to myself. God hears all prayers, whether spoken or unspoken. I guess my point is when praying in public just remember your talking to your saviour, and he loves you. One person gave some good advice, memorize the prayer your going to say. I have found that after i get the speaking over with i feel pretty good. I've even went as far as to take a small part in our easter play, to try to help with this. Your not alone, keep me informed. God Bless

Matthew 6:5-6
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Sense Jesus tended to teach against public prayer, then maybe your being lead by the Holy Spirit not to pray this way. Thanks, JohnR7

i used to have the same problem too, but it went away when i reached my second last year in high school. Nothing dramatic happened, it just went away.
i'll be praying for you, hope the pro goes away soon!

UPDATE, I was asked to lead the congregation in prayer this past Sunday, when first called i was nervous, but then the Holy Spirit took my hand an led me through it, and i praised God and then felt wonderful. So i am proof you can do it. God Bless

Glory to God Most High! If you trust God on it, then go for it; it may also "break the ice," as they say, so you won't be as afraid

God bless ya

Your in my prayers

when you are home alone, write your prayers down as you pray. I will start to make it easier to verbalize your prayers.

I had the same problem when I became a Christian and I've seen it with others...so you're not the only one. BTW, we all ended up praying aloud in the end.

My advice:
1. Don't pray aloud because you feel you have to or because you're the only one who hasn't prayed out aloud.
2. Only pray out aloud when you believe that God's given you something to pray.
3. When you do pray out aloud...just talk to God, never mind about anyone else in the room. Use natural language - like you would with one of your friends.

Personally, I never pray anything out aloud, unless I believe that God wants me too.
Hope this helps, and don't worry, it will come in time....

Blessings...

Originally posted by JohnR7
Matthew 6:5-6
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Sense Jesus tended to teach against public prayer, then maybe your being lead by the Holy Spirit not to pray this way. Thanks, JohnR7

Click to expand...

It is my understanding that Jesus was teaching against praying to be seen and heard and applauded by man. I don't think that He was teaching against praying out loud in a prayer group. Several passages in the book of Acts tell us that the church was togeather, in prayer, and since we are told what they were praying, I assume they were not praying in silence.

Lisa - I experienced the exact same thing. It literally made me sick to my stomach to even think about praying out loud. Then a woman from my church came to me one day, and asked me if I would like to be her prayer partner. I had no idea what that meant, but I said yes. She and I met, just the two of us, on a regular basis to pray for ourselves, our families, etc. She always prayed out loud, and I never did. Then one day, she said to me "ok, its your turn to pray". I almost fainted! But because we were alone, and I had listened to her for so long, I went ahead and stepped out. I'm sure I stumbled over my words and sounded quite dumb...but not to God. He is not interested in our eloquence, He is interested in hearing the prayers of our hearts. Anyway...over time, I grew more and more comfortable praying out loud, and now, I have no problem with it. But it was a definite hump I had to get over. I believe that praying out loud in certain situations is important. It gives the other believers who are praying with you the opportunity to agree together with you for what you are praying for. But don't feel guilt or condemnation if you are not ready to pray out loud. God will get you past that, if you are willing to let Him.