Is this normal?

D.C · Feb 8, 2004

Hi everyone, I have a question and I hope someone will be able to help me. Before I started going to church I was a very closed person and hated to be around other people or to even talk with them, but now that I have started going to church I have opened up alot since I started going to church, but when our pastor does a altar call, I sometimes go up when I feel the holy spirit move me or I see someone I know walk up. When we start to pray I feel really akward doing it and usually just stand there looking stupid. Even when I'm alone praying makes me feel akward. I don't know why it is. So is this something normal every christian goes through or is it just me. And is there anything I can do to help get over my feelings of akwardness.

Thanks

D.C

Lilly of the Valley · Feb 8, 2004

In what way do you feel awkward?

Lilly of the Valley · Feb 8, 2004

Also, this is not normal. You should actually ask the Lord to help you with this. Also, think of God as a father who really loves you (He is!). That should make it a bit more comfortable.

flyfishing · Feb 8, 2004

I think you should keep seeking GOD at the altar, your testimony shows how much you have progressed.. Being confident of this very thing that he who has begun a good work in you will bring it to maturity(perfection).. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love power and a sound mind.. When you go to an altar just worship God and minister to him... The devil is trying to hold you in your past but remember you are now a new creature in CHRIST...Praise him at all times...

haya · Feb 8, 2004

When I first became a Christian, I felt very awkward praying out loud in a group.
But slowly as I began to grow in my relationship with God and my fellowship with Christian friends, my awkwardness/nervousness/worry disappeared. I think it just takes some getting used to, and some time for God to grow ya.

ShetlandRose · Feb 9, 2004

Quote from "haya:"

When I first became a Christian, I felt very awkward praying out loud in a group.
But slowly as I began to grow in my relationship with God and my fellowship with Christian friends, my awkwardness/nervousness/worry disappeared. I think it just takes some getting used to, and some time for God to grow ya.

Couldn't say it any better than "haya" said it!

Don't worry, you sound normal to me. I remember how painful it was for me when I first started coming out of my shy shell and learning to pray with others. Prayer is intimate. Prayer is the deepest part of your spirit in communion with the deepest part of the Spirit of God. As you grow you will blossom!

ShetlandRose

Lilly of the Valley · Feb 9, 2004

This is normal if you are a new christian. Sorry, I was thinking about more mature christians.

missionarypoet · Feb 9, 2004

It is normal. Don't you sometimes wish that you could sound like other people who pray who seem so comfortable and confident? What helps me most is to just talk to God like I would anyone else, as a friend even. Pretend you're on the phone chatting with one of your good friends, you have no reason to be nervous. God knows everything you're trying to articulate; He doesn't care what you sound like, He just loves to hear His child's voice. Remember that you don't have to pray in fancy words, you don't have to impress anyone. I hate it when I feel pressured to say these fancy phrases, so I just ignore it. It's hard not to get wrapped up in words when you pray, because you feel you have to speak differently to God to get through, and because people expect you to say certain things. Let all that fall away. You don't need to worry about what people think.

The Midge · Feb 11, 2004

D.C said:
Hi everyone, I have a question and I hope someone will be able to help me. Before I started going to church I was a very closed person and hated to be around other people or to even talk with them, but now that I have started going to church I have opened up alot since I started going to church, but when our pastor does a altar call, I sometimes go up when I feel the holy spirit move me or I see someone I know walk up. When we start to pray I feel really akward doing it and usually just stand there looking stupid. Even when I'm alone praying makes me feel akward. I don't know why it is. So is this something normal every christian goes through or is it just me. And is there anything I can do to help get over my feelings of akwardness.

Thanks

D.C

Sounds normal enough to me and I've been a Christian for nearly 20 years. There are many different patterns of prayer. Most denominations tend to favour only a few. There is no harm in trying other traditions or methods of prayer.
If you are more reserved or introverted may be you will find contemplative prayer patterns better for you. Try meditating on the scriptures. repeating a phrase to fucus your mind. Use books of prayers and litergy. Whatever as long as it works for you.

12volt_man · Feb 11, 2004

D.C said:
Hi everyone, I have a question and I hope someone will be able to help me. Before I started going to church I was a very closed person and hated to be around other people or to even talk with them, but now that I have started going to church I have opened up alot since I started going to church,

That's a good thing. It's perfectly normal. Now that you're out around other people, you're polishing your social skills. Good for you. You're a nice person and you should give others a chance to know you.

but when our pastor does a altar call, I sometimes go up when I feel the holy spirit move me or I see someone I know walk up.

I don't know what you're denon is or how they do it, but in mine, you can go up for the alter call for just about anything. I don't see anything unusaly about what you're doing here.

When we start to pray I feel really akward doing it and usually just stand there looking stupid. Even when I'm alone praying makes me feel akward. I don't know why it is. So is this something normal every christian goes through or is it just me.

It's something everybody goes through to one degree or another and it's OK.

And is there anything I can do to help get over my feelings of akwardness.

I really don't have any advice for you there but I'll be praying for you.

Oh, by the way, about being "normal"? I've been normal. It's highly overrated.

marc · Feb 11, 2004

haya said:
When I first became a Christian, I felt very awkward praying out loud in a group.
But slowly as I began to grow in my relationship with God and my fellowship with Christian friends, my awkwardness/nervousness/worry disappeared. I think it just takes some getting used to, and some time for God to grow ya.

I agree.

As an ex-introvert myself, I can relate . I think the biggest reason we have difficulty praying aloud or standing in front of the congregation is because it exposes our deepest innermost thoughts. This is what God wants, it's all part of confession and being "transparent" with your brothers and sisters.

In Christ

Marc

pmarquette · Feb 13, 2004

D.C said:
Hi everyone, I have a question and I hope someone will be able to help me. Before I started going to church I was a very closed person and hated to be around other people or to even talk with them, but now that I have started going to church I have opened up alot since I started going to church, but when our pastor does a altar call, I sometimes go up when I feel the holy spirit move me or I see someone I know walk up. When we start to pray I feel really akward doing it and usually just stand there looking stupid. Even when I'm alone praying makes me feel akward. I don't know why it is. So is this something normal every christian goes through or is it just me. And is there anything I can do to help get over my feelings of akwardness.

pray when alone .... as one you like does .... Mimic T.D. Jakes ; Jesse Duplantis ; your pastor .... speak alound when alone , working , shower ...

all you need is 2-3 words of yours , then the power of God will kick in
2 Samuel 23.2 ...

Thanks

D.C

Is this normal?

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