A few pointers?

[Kehaar]

Hello all

I'm almost ashamed to be asking this, its such a basic question I realise I probably shouldn't even need to think about it!

I've mentioned before on this forum that I have problems speaking up in church, particularly in prayer. I suppose I feel that I'm not well versed enough or that I'll sound clumsy. :/ I do realise its something I need to make effort with and that worrying isn't going to get me anywhere. I know I should just speak what is in my heart as if the only one listening was God, but I still find it difficult in practice.

Next week I'm having a few freinds from church round for dinner. The last time this happened someone else ended up saying grace because I was so self-aware. This time I'm determined to do that myself (and heres my basic question) but everytime I think about it I seem to freeze up. I know this may be the most ridiculous of questions but 'how' do you say grace?

I'm worried I'll make it too personal, or too general - I'm not sure whats expected of me. I know its silly, but I really want to start getting over this fear.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Astral

 

[KleinerApfel]

I don't mind at all giving thanks for a meal when among Christians, but when my Unsaved husband is around, no way! So I can identify partly with how you feel.

We don't often entertain, but this did come up recently when a few people from church came for a shared buffet at our home.

I decided it was appropriate that I do it rather than ask someone else, and just took a deep breath and got it over with. I felt so much better afterwards, and my husband didn't bat an eyelid!

Keep it really short and simple. I think I said: "Father, thank you for our friends, our families, and this food. Bless us as we share it, in Jesus name, amen."

Write it on your napkin if it helps! (Or should that be serviette - napkin might be taken to mean something else in some places!?

God bless, Susana

 

[kbean]

I don't mind at all giving thanks for a meal when among Christians, but when my Unsaved husband is around, no way!

hey, suzanna...just a happy note...
for a long time I felt like you about not saying grace in front of my unsaved husband.
About a month ago I felt it was time (a big reason for my kids to begin good habits with God) to start.
Wow it was akward and still is sometimes. But it has been a blessing and it has made my DH (dear husband) stop and think before 'starting in' on his plate. It has been a way to witness, that does not really 'impose' on my husband, just takes a second.
Sometimes words fly out of me that feel God inspired, one night I just started talking about the simple blessings in life and how "God so meant for us to share in them together" and I think these small comments during grace do plant loving tender seeds in his heart.
Other times when I have had a bad day, for some reason grace in front of my husband does not come so easy, almost like I feel like I've let God down for being such I grump that day or whatever, and then I have to humble myself in saynig thanks to Him anyway. I feel my husband sees my struggles when I do this and I become self concious. Just wanted to say that it does feel good to finally be true to my God and not be embarrassed to praise Him out loud.... I still have a hard time in front of others.
Anyway, that went on longer than I planned, sorry don't mean to get off topic but when you said you couldn't pray in front of yuor unsaved DH I just wanted to share that.

 

[desi]

This reminds me of the time I was the leader of a Christian club at school. I gave a speech to the new class about our club, which there were no members of since me and my 4 peers had moved on and I was the lone one sent to speak to the new class. Over ten percent of the new class showed up at the first meeting, around a dozen or so people. I was dumbfounded at the turnout. When they suggested I lead them in a prayer I said the Lord's Prayer which raised a few eyebrows. The club is now thriving.

 

[Kehaar]

Thanks to everyone who replied, I appreciated your answers!

 

[Sketcher]

Keep it really short and simple.

Yes. Very simple and honest is the way to go. The grace I give now is not that far removed from the first one I gave when I was 2 or 3 years old.

 

[inHisgrip]

What I was told once shortly after giving my life to Christ is that older christians really enjoy hearing new christians pray. It is a reminder of the simplicity of it, so many of us tend to get caught up in saying the right thing and sounding eloquent. I still get shy sometimes, but there is nothing more fulfilling then praying with other believers.
Just speak from your heart. You'll do great.
In Him

 

[Endure2]

i just forget that its "grace" and in a short simple way show God my APPRECIATION for him providing me with a meal and ask him to BLESS it that it would not hurt my body.
i may be wrong but i think that is the purpose of it.
"grace" is a term that is unfamilair to us in certain contexts, such as meals.
i dont know why they chose that word.

but if i could give you some advice,
the bible says that we need to
keep our feet when we go into the house of God lest we make the sacrifice of fools.

Its saying that you need to be careful about what you do and say in Gods house becuase it needs to be reveranced, and certainly peoples lives and minds hang in the balance anyway.

it is not innapropriate to be wary of speaking out in church.
if you dont feel like your ready to doit with sound wisdom and excellence then your probly not, and you probly need to take a season to be just be quiet and listen and grow and not say anything unless you know God is leading you.

but i believe boldness begins at home, learn to pray outloud in your room at home when its just you and God. becuase eventuhally youll need to be able to.
ask God to give you boldness.
i think you should just focus on growing closer to the Lord personally, and as you grow in wisdom and spirit, you will develop.
youll grow bolder and wiser as he deals with you in many diffrent ways.
and in due season, youll be bold and be a vioce in the church.
but now may not be the time and it seems that it is not.
people make mistakes and do foolish things, becuase they feel like they must speak. they interrupt the flow of the speaker and the work of the holyspirit, all becuase THEY feel like THEY have something to do or say.

we all need to go through a time when we dont do anything but listen,and when it comes to the house of God we are dealing with divine issues and peoples lives and Gods time and place, and we cant FOOL around with those.
we need to sit and let those who know how to act apropriately handle those things UNTILL we are ready.

but dont beat yourself up, God is not a hasty God.
IF IT IS GODS WILL TODAY, IT WILL BE GODS WILL TOMMOROW.
we mess up much more by doing things too quickly than by too slowly.
and remember, if it is something very important, God will ALWAYS go through the pastor. hes the leader and hes who God will work through, its not on your shoulders to make sure what supposed to happen in the service happens.
becuase your pastor is the head of the your church.

anyway, hope that helped.
Godbless you.

 

[Kehaar]

i just forget that its "grace" and in a short simple way show God my APPRECIATION for him providing me with a meal and ask him to BLESS it that it would not hurt my body.
i may be wrong but i think that is the purpose of it.
"grace" is a term that is unfamilair to us in certain contexts, such as meals.
i dont know why they chose that word.

but if i could give you some advice,
the bible says that we need to
keep our feet when we go into the house of God lest we make the sacrifice of fools.

Its saying that you need to be careful about what you do and say in Gods house becuase it needs to be reveranced, and certainly peoples lives and minds hang in the balance anyway.

it is not innapropriate to be wary of speaking out in church.
if you dont feel like your ready to doit with sound wisdom and excellence then your probly not, and you probly need to take a season to be just be quiet and listen and grow and not say anything unless you know God is leading you.

but i believe boldness begins at home, learn to pray outloud in your room at home when its just you and God. becuase eventuhally youll need to be able to.
ask God to give you boldness.
i think you should just focus on growing closer to the Lord personally, and as you grow in wisdom and spirit, you will develop.
youll grow bolder and wiser as he deals with you in many diffrent ways.
and in due season, youll be bold and be a vioce in the church.
but now may not be the time and it seems that it is not.
people make mistakes and do foolish things, becuase they feel like they must speak. they interrupt the flow of the speaker and the work of the holyspirit, all becuase THEY feel like THEY have something to do or say.

we all need to go through a time when we dont do anything but listen,and when it comes to the house of God we are dealing with divine issues and peoples lives and Gods time and place, and we cant FOOL around with those.
we need to sit and let those who know how to act apropriately handle those things UNTILL we are ready.

but dont beat yourself up, God is not a hasty God.
IF IT IS GODS WILL TODAY, IT WILL BE GODS WILL TOMMOROW.
we mess up much more by doing things too quickly than by too slowly.
and remember, if it is something very important, God will ALWAYS go through the pastor. hes the leader and hes who God will work through, its not on your shoulders to make sure what supposed to happen in the service happens.
becuase your pastor is the head of the your church.

anyway, hope that helped.
Godbless you.

Thank you! I found that very helpful and encouraging

Astral

 

[JulesM]

You know somewhere God says about 'blathering on like pharisees' during prayer. God knows us, and he doesn't want fancy language if that's not us being real. Sometimes in Cell I feel indimidated praying outloud but God really meets you in it.
I trip over my words all the time, and say things back to front...but God knows what I mean - its all from the heart.
Honestly - Christians won't judge you - they will love your prayers and will agree with you. Just be you.

Oh about the 'grace' before eating thing - keep it short and simple 'Lord thank you for the food before us, for friendship and for fellowship. amen'...def don't go on and on...when you've got a plate full of food in front of you...you gotta eat!!!

 

[HolySpiritWarrior]

Just let God work through you and don't worry about what others think!!!