Praying in a group

[ramblingokie]

Hi,
not sure if this is the place to post this question but since coming to the Lord I have begun attending an early morning mens group. These men start out each morning in group prayer. I have no problem with this but when it comes to my time for me to pray out loud...I become scared/intimidated/tongue tied.

What I am asking is for help in learning how to pray out loud and with a group. I do pray daily but in a quite place and alone. When I pray I feel comfortable opening up and expressing myself. This is because I know God know what is in my heart so I do not worry about how things come out. In contract when it comes to public prayer I am always concerned of what other people think. If you couldn't guess by now...I have a problem speaking in pubic. In addition I also have a problem praying for others when I know who I really am. I feel like such a hypocrite. An example of why I feel like such a hypocrite is when I am praying for missionaries I know I could never do half as much witnessing as they could. How could I pray for them to be strong when I am so weak in this area? Anyway I am hoping my babbling makes some sense. I really like this group but am becoming more and more discouraged each day when I think how inferior I am when it comes to praying for others. Any help is appreciated. Thanks....

 

[Bible2]

ramblingokie said in post #1:

I have no problem with this but when it comes to my time for me to pray out loud...I become scared/intimidated/tongue tied.

To overcome the fear of man, think upon verses like 2 Timothy 1:7, Proverbs 29:25, and Proverbs 28:1.

To increase your faith that the Holy Spirit himself can give you the right words to say right when you need them, think upon Luke 12:12.

Also, it's a good thing to feel that you're weak at doing something, for that's precisely when Jesus can fill you with his own strength
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

So when it's your time to pray out loud, just relax, and let God himself bring to your mind at that time what he wants you to pray.

And remember that he's not into long-winded prayers (Ecclesiastes 5:2), so he will most likely give you just a few sentences (Matthew 6:7-13).

Also, remember that when we pray we must have an unwavering faith (James 1:6-8, Mark 11:24).

 

[heymikey80]

The first thing I'd do is mention it to your group that you have trouble speaking in public, so you have trouble praying in public as well. They should be accommodating of that situation.

It can readily be a flood of emotion.

It may also be something more, but the publicness of prayer itself is but an indicator, it's not problematic of itself.

 

[tturt]

Glad that you're participating in a prayer group. Suggestion: When you're alone, pray out loud some especially during praise and thanksgiving. It will help you when you get into a group setting then.

 

[Memukan]

Its nothing to fret over, just be yourself and talk to YAH the way you would to someone in your group. Prayer is nothing more than heart felt conversation. Every one in that room was in the same place you are now.

Peace,

Memukan

 

[ramblingokie]

Thanks everyone for the advice and scriptures. It is nice to know there is a place to go for help. They are all very helpful. Thanks again.

 

[saved24]

We all have our place in the church of God. Please do not feel bad that you do not witness as much as missionaries. You are praying for them and that is precious, and so important! Missionaries have more opportunity to witness. The Lord gives us opportunities depending on our job and situation. Sometimes are witness by showing our Christian love is all that it takes in some situations. If you get tongue tied giving someone a tract or putting tracts in certain places are a great way to witness. When you pray for a missionary, you have a part in their reward, that's not why we pray, but it is important for them to have our prayers and your part is just as important as their's and the Lord is pleased when you pray for them.

It is hard to pray in a group when we feel others words sound much better than ours. I can understand your feelings about this. As you know it is really just what God thinks that matters. Maybe just say a few words each time, and a bit more the next time. If you still are too shy, you can tell the leader of the group that you are not comfortable at this time praying out loud. You could do just as much good praying in your mind as others pray, and also saying, "Yes Lord, thank You Lord"when others pray if that is allowed in your church. Praying aloud is good, but praying in your mind is just as effective.

God bless you, He loves and cares for you so much! I know He is pleased with You because You want to do Your best for Him! Rest in Him.

 

[now faith]

I understand your feelings. Our Lord said go into your closet to pray speaking of loud people praying to be noticed. The closet was a shroud worn on their heads you pray to the father in secret he rewards you in the open. We should pray over things in public ask for blessing or healing etc. I was asked to bless the offering on Sundays what I would do is keep it on the need your praying for. I would ask God to bless the offering that's it or what ever your asked to pray for amen and amen you can do it!

 

[george baily]

Hi,
not sure if this is the place to post this question but since coming to the Lord I have begun attending an early morning mens group. These men start out each morning in group prayer. I have no problem with this but when it comes to my time for me to pray out loud...I become scared/intimidated/tongue tied.

What I am asking is for help in learning how to pray out loud and with a group. I do pray daily but in a quite place and alone. When I pray I feel comfortable opening up and expressing myself. This is because I know God know what is in my heart so I do not worry about how things come out. In contract when it comes to public prayer I am always concerned of what other people think. If you couldn't guess by now...I have a problem speaking in pubic. In addition I also have a problem praying for others when I know who I really am. I feel like such a hypocrite. An example of why I feel like such a hypocrite is when I am praying for missionaries I know I could never do half as much witnessing as they could. How could I pray for them to be strong when I am so weak in this area? Anyway I am hoping my babbling makes some sense. I really like this group but am becoming more and more discouraged each day when I think how inferior I am when it comes to praying for others. Any help is appreciated. Thanks....

this was also Moses problem.....your in good company.......I try to block out any awareness that anyone else is around me, and I just talk to God like I always do, I don't stumble for words when I'm alone

 

[Incariol]

Hi,
not sure if this is the place to post this question but since coming to the Lord I have begun attending an early morning mens group. These men start out each morning in group prayer. I have no problem with this but when it comes to my time for me to pray out loud...I become scared/intimidated/tongue tied.

What I am asking is for help in learning how to pray out loud and with a group. I do pray daily but in a quite place and alone. When I pray I feel comfortable opening up and expressing myself. This is because I know God know what is in my heart so I do not worry about how things come out. In contract when it comes to public prayer I am always concerned of what other people think. If you couldn't guess by now...I have a problem speaking in pubic. In addition I also have a problem praying for others when I know who I really am. I feel like such a hypocrite. An example of why I feel like such a hypocrite is when I am praying for missionaries I know I could never do half as much witnessing as they could. How could I pray for them to be strong when I am so weak in this area? Anyway I am hoping my babbling makes some sense. I really like this group but am becoming more and more discouraged each day when I think how inferior I am when it comes to praying for others. Any help is appreciated. Thanks....

I've been to those men's groups, and honestly, I never prayed out loud either, and you shouldn't feel like you need to. Personally, I've never been really into public speaking either, and I feel like those go-around-and-pray-outloud tend to degenerate into people showing off how "spiritual" they are in praying, so I would just pray silently.

 

[parsley]

Think about whether you'd ever like to lead a men's group, or be an elder, or lead youth... in any church responsibility it will be good to be practiced and at ease with starting and closing prayers. So if you keep that as a goal, you will be less focused on yourself and more at what you want to become better at. Hopefully!

Usually it's just a matter of voicing what's on your mind. What you say will be different from what others say, because you have different concerns.

 

[jannikitty]

People pray differently. Your prayer support and agreement with the others in your group is important even if you don't enter in and pray out loud as they do. But you seem to be bothered by this so I would suggest in one of your private prayer times you pray and ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit so that you can pray freely without hesitation and for fear of how others perceive you.

 

[halfalive]

I have trouble praying out loud too. I've been a Christian for 6 years now, and while I'm still not a huge fan of doing so, I've gotten better. It takes practice. One thing in particular that's helped me is, if I know ahead of time that I'm going to pray out loud, I'll try to think of a few things to say so I don't panic when the time comes.

 

[Malachi814]

Friend, do not be ashamed, Jesus said "it is finished" before he gave up his Spirit. Every inclination of our hearts is evil. It is indeed not easy as a human to pray out loud. If you do not feel comfortable, do not pray. Jesus is certainly not angry at you, he loves you. Jesus relationship with us is personal; he wants us to pray in Spirit and truth - pour out the true feelings of your heart to him.

Paul said "This should be a phrase of acceptance among all believers:
'Christ died to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and recieve eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

Truly friend, I am the worst of sinners. Find comfort in this, do not be ashamed. Fear and shame come from the evil one's accusations; he is the Father of lies, he was a liar from the beginning. He lies to all us believers in Christ. This is the truth.