Do you pray out loud or in your head?

[Galadriel]

Hey all,
I was wondering if you usually pray out loud or in your thoughts??
I always pray in my thoughts, wether that is good or bad, it just seems easier for me to convey things instead of having to formulate words. I know that might sound dumb, but thats how it is for me. What about you??

 

[Photini]

I think it's good to use a mixture of psalms, outloud prayers, and also silent prayers. I read from a prayer book, and also psalms, and this helps focus and soften the heart in order to pray with my own words with sincerity.

"When you are saying your prayers---and especially if you have a rule of prayer according to a book, do not hurry from one word to another without feeling its truth, without laying it to your heart; always strive to feel with you heart the truth of that which you say. Your heart will oppose this---sometimes by slothfulness and stony insensibility, sometimes by doubt and unbelief, sometimes by distraction and deviation of the mind to earthly objects and cares, sometimes by the remembrance of the offences of your neighbour, and by a feeling of revenge and hatred towards him, sometimes by the representation of worldly pleasures, or by the representation of pleasure derived from reading novels and worldkly books in general. Do not spare yourself; conquer your heart, and offer it to God as an acceptable sacrifice: 'My son, give me thine heart.' Your prayer will unite you to God and all heaven, and you will be filled with the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit---righteousness, peace, joy, love, meekness, long-suffering, and wholehearted repentance."---St John of Kronstadt

 

[Galadriel]

I think it's good to use a mixture of psalms, outloud prayers, and also silent prayers. I read from a prayer book, and also psalms, and this helps focus and soften the heart in order to pray with my own words with sincerity.

"When you are saying your prayers---and especially if you have a rule of prayer according to a book, do not hurry from one word to another without feeling its truth, without laying it to your heart; always strive to feel with you heart the truth of that which you say. Your heart will oppose this---sometimes by slothfulness and stony insensibility, sometimes by doubt and unbelief, sometimes by distraction and deviation of the mind to earthly objects and cares, sometimes by the remembrance of the offences of your neighbour, and by a feeling of revenge and hatred towards him, sometimes by the representation of worldly pleasures, or by the representation of pleasure derived from reading novels and worldkly books in general. Do not spare yourself; conquer your heart, and offer it to God as an acceptable sacrifice: 'My son, give me thine heart.' Your prayer will unite you to God and all heaven, and you will be filled with the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit---righteousness, peace, joy, love, meekness, long-suffering, and wholehearted repentance."---St John of Kronstadt

Hmm, yes but shouldn't we not rely on feelings? When we pray, isn't it dangerous to try to "work up" those feelings?

 

[Phoebe]

I mostly do it in my head.

 

[kdet]

Mainly in my thoughts though sometimes I will sort of whisper out loud.

 

[Galadriel]

Good! Then I am not the only one!

 

[AradJohn]

i pray out lowd in my room after singing to him for a while and praising him then just asking him questions about what he wants for me.

 

[Photini]

Hmm, yes but shouldn't we not rely on feelings? When we pray, isn't it dangerous to try to "work up" those feelings?

It's not feelings being worked up, but a softening of heart. It is difficult to pray sincerely (if at all) and fervently with a hard and distracted heart.

 

[Galadriel]

It's not feelings being worked up, but a softening of heart. It is difficult to pray sincerely (if at all) and fervently with a hard and distracted heart.

Hmm...true...

 

[Gwyn]

It depends on the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I pray silently and sometimes out loud.

Gwyn

 

[Woodsy]

When alone, I pray out loud. It helps me to slow my thoughts enough to discipline them into meaningful prayer. Otherwise, my thoughts are all over the place, and I end up sending all sorts of "stream of consciousness" gobbledygook God's way.

 

[DarkSquirrel]

I usually pray in my head. I can't really speak around people, even in normal conversation, and I'm always nervous that someone might be listening. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything, but the prayer is between me and God, you know? Sometimes if I'm really emotional (and certain that I'm alone, like at three a.m.) I'll speak out loud, but then it's just like it's the two of us (four of us?) there. I know, though, that He knows the innermost thoughts of my heart. That helps a lot.

 

[Galadriel]

I usually pray in my head. I can't really speak around people, even in normal conversation, and I'm always nervous that someone might be listening. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything, but the prayer is between me and God, you know? Sometimes if I'm really emotional (and certain that I'm alone, like at three a.m.) I'll speak out loud, but then it's just like it's the two of us (four of us?) there. I know, though, that He knows the innermost thoughts of my heart. That helps a lot.

I hear ya! Lol, two of us, wait, four of us? Lol! Hmm, I guess manybe four. But yea I hear what your saying, I too don't speak well around people.

 

[fieldmouse3]

I do both, depending on my location and the situation. I prefer out loud, though, if I have the option.

 

[servingtheking]

I pray in my head, almost always.

 

[Addaperle]

It varies... I might say set prayers out loud, but more chatty prayers take place in my head... If the spirit moves me to pray in tongues, that's out loud, even if quietly out loud...

Clare xx

 

[Totally Transformed]

I do both. His word says to "pray without ceasing" so I try to be in an attitude of prayer as much as I can. If I were to pray out loud all the time I think people would think I should be locked up. I will pray out loud when I know there are not any people to hear me and there are times when it doesn't matter to me if I'm heard. It all depends on the circumstance or situation. I know I don't want to pray out loud and distarct other people who may be praying quietly, so I try to respect other people's feelings.

YBIC,
Bob

 

[-=Burnt Toast=-]

In my head ususally, although it depends upon the situation and my location. If it is something vitally important, i usually go out loud... i guess i just feel its easier to hear

 

[Luchnia]

Most interesting thread. I am puzzled though, where does God word say prayer is thought? After 15 years now, I still haven't found this in God's word.

Word up and peace up!

 

[PuppyforChrist]

For me it depends where I am.

My family has a habit of interuppting me when I pray. So I try to do it as quietly as I can in my room. I try to pray every night.

At church, I pray in my head. I'd rather not have the people next to me hear the private thoughts in my head.