Intimidated about Praying

[StarTrak]

Hi forum,

I'm pretty new here, I'm sure a few of you have probably been in one or two of the threads I'v made recently. I'v been reading the bible recently and I'v been feeling different (in a good way) ever since I started learning about Jesus and Christianity. I feel like I'm a better person, my mood has been elevated I feel happier even tho I was happy to begin with and I'm in a good state of mind.

I want to try and pray and talk to god.. I sit and think about it but cannot bring myself to do it, I really want too but feel intimidated and nervous (kind of like when you are ringing about a job? that's probably the best way to describe it) I don't know what to say and I think I'm nervous that I won't hear/feel anything even tho I know he would be listening..

How do I overcome this? I have prayed before when my girlfriends mother was very sick I prayed every day that she would recover (and she is recovering even tho the doctors weren't giving very good outcomes) but it seems like the only time I have ever prayed is when I have needed to ask for help.. This time I just want to talk..

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Josh

 

[paul1149]

The beauty of our position in Christ is that Jesus came to earth as one of us. He was a babe in a rough manger, he walked among us, associated himself with sinners, and welcomed children to his side.

You are not praying to an angry Old Testament God full of wrath, but to Abba, which means dear father, or even Daddy. David understood this when he said, "Thy gentleness has made me great".

So basically prayer is just relating to the Lord from where you are. It is turning your focus to Him, His love, grace and glory. You can just start talking to Him, and then see where it goes - make sure you listen too.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” -Rom 8.15​

 

[whatfor]

Just say what you feel, do not make it complicated.

 

[Sketcher]

God knows everything that's on your mind, and everything else in there that you're not aware of at the moment. This actually helps me, because its not as though I can fool him by conveying myself poorly. And though he knows all about me, he still wants me to talk to him! I cannot describe how wonderful that is.

 

[Peripatetic]

I'm guessing that you already talk to yourself in your mind when you think about things. A good place to start is to just include God in those inner-conversations. Just make it conversational. Once you get comfortable with that, try praying for others, saying your sorry, and thanking God for what He provides.

Another type of prayer is praise (also called adoration). This is important, but can be hard to do at first. If you can't find the words yourself, try reading Psalms like 8, 19, 29, 98, 105, and 146-150. They use language that is different than we use today, but still provide a good template for praise.

 

[firesoforion]

I'm in a pretty similar position to you, and I've been praying recently. I'd guess the two things I'd add to what's been said are that one thing I came across is sometimes I'd censor myself, not wanting to talk about thoughts or feelings which were shameful, not actions so much, but thoughts and feelings, and that He already knows so just say them and explain them, it makes praying a lot easier. The other is that one thing I'll do some times while I'm thinking to myself or doing something is to make a mental note of something to talk about later. Then I'll use that as a "praying prompt" for lack of a better term, and then just start talking about that.

 

[FatherHaveMercy]

Hi Josh (waves)


I think you're dealing with something every new christian deals with. I'm sure at one time or another we've all been where you're at. Your best friend, if you needed to speak with them you wouldn't shy away would you? Just think of prayer like this... Jesus Christ IS your best friend, he knew you before you were even born, he knows your heart, so don't start off so big its a wonderful thing that you've came to christ. Even if you forget a few things during your alone time with him, don't beat yourself up, because he already knows your heart.

 

[Fulltruthministry]

Hi forum,

I'm pretty new here, I'm sure a few of you have probably been in one or two of the threads I'v made recently. I'v been reading the bible recently and I'v been feeling different (in a good way) ever since I started learning about Jesus and Christianity. I feel like I'm a better person, my mood has been elevated I feel happier even tho I was happy to begin with and I'm in a good state of mind.

I want to try and pray and talk to god.. I sit and think about it but cannot bring myself to do it, I really want too but feel intimidated and nervous (kind of like when you are ringing about a job? that's probably the best way to describe it) I don't know what to say and I think I'm nervous that I won't hear/feel anything even tho I know he would be listening..

How do I overcome this? I have prayed before when my girlfriends mother was very sick I prayed every day that she would recover (and she is recovering even tho the doctors weren't giving very good outcomes) but it seems like the only time I have ever prayed is when I have needed to ask for help.. This time I just want to talk..

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Josh

I feel like that sometimes:
I used to REALLY stuggle with that:
For me; it was the way i was living;
When i first came to God; for a short time i was missing the power of faith:
I thought that i was alright no matter how i lived; as long as i loved Jesus:
Yet God showed me what it Truly means to love Jesus:
And for me two things freed me from this:
One was righteousness:
Realizing that Jesus can and is so willing to give me His righteousness; allowing me to live above the calls of the flesh:
And the other was sharing my new found love:
If i didint do these two things; the Spirit didnt allow me to have the peace i wanted:
God makes us RIGHT:
He is so merciful

I you are living in Gods will; studying His Word and sharing His love; I cant understand how you can feel uneasy praying to God:
This is the time that i talk to God everymoment; like a friend; like He is right there with me; because His righteousness gives us the confidence to believe that:
I even sing songs to God; I go all out; even playing my favorite song and saying; God this is for you; and i sing it to Him;
or i just let the Spirit bring words to my heart; and i let the Spirit speak to the Father for me and through me; searching me; allowing me to express the most beautiful emotions;

Faith helps; believing that the Spirit can do this for us; believing that the Spirit can search us and to help us express the things we cant muster in our own strength;

Blessings; keep me in prayer and i will do the same:
Your a soldier for the Lord; one calling for His love; and so am I: BLESS US LORD: BIG SMILE

 

[Faulty]

Pray the Psalms. A great place to start.

 

[Lakatide]

Just a suggestion-- but a good way to start praying is by thanking God for the things He has done for you. You could thank Him for your answered prayer, for instance, thank Him for something good that happened to you today. And start a dialouge with Him that way. From there, you can tell Him things you hope for, ask Him to help you with your problems as they arise. God already knows everything anyway. He knows your heart; He knows that you're finding it hard-- and He will wait for you, until you are ready.

 

[salida]

Talking to God is like talking to a friend.

How to pray
Adoration (if I do a to do list for God I'm left empty- when I praise Him because He's in control of the world and man is not I acknowledge He's God and I should let Him handle things bigger than me)
Confession (confess our sins and the things we forget to do like help someone)
Thanksgiving (all the things you're thankful for- I thank Him for my cats, our house all He's provided, for the hurricane that missed the NJ shore)
Supplication (for ourselves and others, help me stay focused at work, bless a person who is despairing)