Prayer

[MadParrotWoman]

I was wondering if there are any others here who struggle with prayer...

I'm not a good speaker in public or even in groups of people, I am much better talking on a one to one basis - maybe two but more than that and I begin to feel uneasy. I'm much better expressing myself this way - writing/typing. I can say exactly what I want to say, go back and delete what doesn't look right and add a smiley for expression. I wonder if this is the reason I don't pray well, I find it difficult to find the right words, I find myself correcting things or re-saying things and sometimes I don't feel I have been understood. Sometimes I don't think I'm formal enough and sometimes it seems too formal and rigid. It's easier to write a prayer - like here but even then I don't think I'm good at prayer and my prayers seem repetitive. Also is written prayer actually received by God?

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

 

[p_rehbein]

Public prayer and praying are two different things. Most believers (in my experience) have difficulty with Public praying, however, prayer (when you just pray to God) should not be that difficult.

It's not about what you say (in either case), it's about the heart, the sincerity, and the humility of your prayer.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Public prayer and praying are two different things. Most believers (in my experience) have difficulty with Public praying, however, prayer (when you just pray to God) should not be that difficult.

It's not about what you say (in either case), it's about the heart, the sincerity, and the humility of your prayer.

Yeah really I'm talking about private prayer but I made the connection with speaking in public because I think there is a connection with my inability to find the right words.

 

[Rosesrock]

What he said, pfftt i agree with him, ouch that hurt...

Anyway, it's not about what you say, it's about who you're talking to.
I had the same problem until i started praying out loud alone. I was talking to my God, just as in a group. But the difference is i block out everyone else im praying with.
Dont worry about what others think you're supposed to say or be while you pray.

 

[Rosesrock]

Yeah really I'm talking about private prayer but I made the connection with speaking in public because I think there is a connection with my inability to find the right words.

Pfftt what are words to our Lord? Be still and know i am God. Also its not wrong to ask him to give you the words.

 

[atwhatcost]

I was wondering if there are any others here who struggle with prayer...

I'm not a good speaker in public or even in groups of people, I am much better talking on a one to one basis - maybe two but more than that and I begin to feel uneasy. I'm much better expressing myself this way - writing/typing. I can say exactly what I want to say, go back and delete what doesn't look right and add a smiley for expression. I wonder if this is the reason I don't pray well, I find it difficult to find the right words, I find myself correcting things or re-saying things and sometimes I don't feel I have been understood. Sometimes I don't think I'm formal enough and sometimes it seems too formal and rigid. It's easier to write a prayer - like here but even then I don't think I'm good at prayer and my prayers seem repetitive. Also is written prayer actually received by God?

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

Do you think God is a professor of English?

LOL Actually, I'm better at writing than speaking too. I have a degree in Communications, but writing in academia is much like forcing me to wear a dress that's half a size too small.
A. I hate dresses.
B. I really like to breath.

So, yeah, I skip the formality of proper pros to talk to God. I also skip it in whatever I write. I figure if I can understand it, then I'm sure others can too. (Not necessarily the truth, but it is what I think. lol) So, yeah, talk to God however you want. He's better than C3PO because he invented all 8 million forms of communications that CP3O forever likes to remind others he knows. God is not an English Professor. He is our Dad, our bro, and our heart-to-heart. He's family, so he can understand your dialect, because he made it.

He can even read what we wrote on from millions of miles away, up close, dead on in the paper, and upside down and backwards. He knows our hearts, and he's the one making them better and better.

 

[Joidevivre]

You could write out your prayer, and then read it slowly with your heart in it aloud to Him.
You could forget about Christian words, and just say how you feel and desire the way you would talk to a friend.

Or you could just sit still before God and ask Him to read your heart. Just feel, He will discern the rest.

Or you could draw out your prayer (I do this many times). I put my prayer in a picture instead of words.

And I pray for you that the Lord will help you and give you a new freedom to just talk to Him.

 

[JesusLives]

Public or private I do try to pray what is on my heart....There is no form prayer....there is Christian speak prayer but God is only really interested in what is on your heart. He doesn't need long drawn out phrases that please the other Christians in the room...

I would think at times a public prayer could be as simple as Lord help us we need You.

 

[atwhatcost]

Yeah really I'm talking about private prayer but I made the connection with speaking in public because I think there is a connection with my inability to find the right words.

Honestly, I don't usually use full sentences with God. I just connect by visual and a lot of "you know, so..." He's in us intimately, so he really does know. I just let him see/sense my mind images of what I'm thinking. The place I get trapped a lot and need his help with is studying his word. The second I open up e-Sword, suddenly I remember I didn't wash the dishes yet, I'm hot so need to turn on the fan... no, open the rot door... no, shut the front door and turn on the air..., oh, and what about that spot I'm stuck in where I'm writing my novel? Shouldn't I get the laundry on now? And, what did Spurgeon say again? So I reread and find my mind roaming again. I get frustrated, and let it all hang out in my mind without words to ask God... well, you know.

So he knows, and he instantly calms my mind to understand Spurgeon. And then reminds me I need to hang with him in his words. He doesn't talk to me in words either, unless they're in the Bible, but he somehow communicates what he wants me to learn. So, why do I have to form the just-right words for him? He's God. He knows. All we have to do is let him know, any which way it gets there, and he's willing to do that for us, as long as we're aiming for him and his will.

 

[secularhermit]

I was wondering if there are any others here who struggle with prayer...

I'm not a good speaker in public or even in groups of people, I am much better talking on a one to one basis - maybe two but more than that and I begin to feel uneasy. I'm much better expressing myself this way - writing/typing. I can say exactly what I want to say, go back and delete what doesn't look right and add a smiley for expression. I wonder if this is the reason I don't pray well, I find it difficult to find the right words, I find myself correcting things or re-saying things and sometimes I don't feel I have been understood. Sometimes I don't think I'm formal enough and sometimes it seems too formal and rigid. It's easier to write a prayer - like here but even then I don't think I'm good at prayer and my prayers seem repetitive. Also is written prayer actually received by God?

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

Private PRAYERS do not need much efforts in being perfectly typed and, private prayers, also, ARE PUBLICLY REWARDED... (As Jesus said it was best)

Allow me to share this I read.

https://misspurpletouch.wordpress.com/2015/06/10/answered-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-38

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Just re-visiting this thread again because I still struggle with this issue to a certain degree...

For the first time I saw Secularhermit's comment immediately above and clicked on the link - it's worth looking at. I'm sorry it appears he has been banned.

 

[notmyown]

friends we used to go to church with... their daughters still very friendly with ours...

their daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nick just lost their 2 yo daughter.

she drowned in a pool. (no one was at fault!)

i've tried so hard to form a prayer for them. yet all i'm able to do is stand in the shower and weep.
or sit in bed and weep... or do the dishes and weep....

i'm trusting the Holy Spirit to intercede and make my feelings the right words till i can find the words.

anyone who will, please pray for this young family... they have three sons, ages 5, 4, and 3.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

friends we used to go to church with... their daughters still very friendly with ours...

their daughter Elizabeth and her husband Nick just lost their 2 yo daughter.

she drowned in a pool. (no one was at fault!)

i've tried so hard to form a prayer for them. yet all i'm able to do is stand in the shower and weep.
or sit in bed and weep... or do the dishes and weep....

i'm trusting the Holy Spirit to intercede and make my feelings the right words till i can find the words.

anyone who will, please pray for this young family... they have three sons, ages 5, 4, and 3.

I've also been praying for this situation but yeah I get that you are struggling to find the right words - or indeed any words but God has heard your cries and He is aware of this situation I know this because I prayed for Him to embrace this family, I also know He answers prayer.

 

[Tinuviel]

I was wondering if there are any others here who struggle with prayer...

I'm not a good speaker in public or even in groups of people, I am much better talking on a one to one basis - maybe two but more than that and I begin to feel uneasy. I'm much better expressing myself this way - writing/typing. I can say exactly what I want to say, go back and delete what doesn't look right and add a smiley for expression. I wonder if this is the reason I don't pray well, I find it difficult to find the right words, I find myself correcting things or re-saying things and sometimes I don't feel I have been understood. Sometimes I don't think I'm formal enough and sometimes it seems too formal and rigid. It's easier to write a prayer - like here but even then I don't think I'm good at prayer and my prayers seem repetitive. Also is written prayer actually received by God?

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

I totally understand what you're saying. But I write prayers too, and of COURSE God hears you. He knows your thoughts when you address him in your thoughts, he knows your words when you address him in words, why shouldn't he receive our written words as well?

Also, I just heard an AMAZING sermon on prayer, that mentioned that since the Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27 the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.) The only way we can fail in our prayers is by NOT praying them. Whenever we pray, whatever we pray, it is pleasing to God, because we are His children and His Spirit helps us to pray. That's amazing!!

 

[notmyown]

I've also been praying for this situation but yeah I get that you are struggling to find the right words - or indeed any words but God has heard your cries and He is aware of this situation I know this because I prayed for Him to embrace this family, I also know He answers prayer.

thanks, friend. i thought i'd mention it because i can't use words!

but my sweet husband says, ell, that's some of the best praying there is, to sit in God's presence and cry.

not that you want to do that at a public prayer meeting, necessarily. lol

 

[MadParrotWoman]

thanks, friend. i thought i'd mention it because i can't use words!

but my sweet husband says, ell, that's some of the best praying there is, to sit in God's presence and cry.

not that you want to do that at a public prayer meeting, necessarily. lol

Absolutely...amen.

 

[Adstar]

I was wondering if there are any others here who struggle with prayer...

I'm not a good speaker in public or even in groups of people, I am much better talking on a one to one basis - maybe two but more than that and I begin to feel uneasy. I'm much better expressing myself this way - writing/typing. I can say exactly what I want to say, go back and delete what doesn't look right and add a smiley for expression. I wonder if this is the reason I don't pray well, I find it difficult to find the right words, I find myself correcting things or re-saying things and sometimes I don't feel I have been understood. Sometimes I don't think I'm formal enough and sometimes it seems too formal and rigid. It's easier to write a prayer - like here but even then I don't think I'm good at prayer and my prayers seem repetitive. Also is written prayer actually received by God?

Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

Matthew 6 : KJV
5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.


If you believe Jesus then believe this portion of scripture... Jesus said it..

 

[MadParrotWoman]

Matthew 6 : KJV
5 ¶ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.


If you believe Jesus then believe this portion of scripture... Jesus said it..

Yes I believe this too, however there are occasions when in church we are called upon to lay hands on and pray for a brother or sister - it is then I find myself lost for words and then because of this I worry more about how I come across to others and I hate that because prayer should not be about that or even me but HIM - it should be all about losing oneself in Him and I really really struggle with that!

 

[Adstar]

Yes I believe this too, however there are occasions when in church we are called upon to lay hands on and pray for a brother or sister - it is then I find myself lost for words and then because of this I worry more about how I come across to others and I hate that because prayer should not be about that or even me but HIM - it should be all about losing oneself in Him and I really really struggle with that!

If have just posted scripture from Jesus telling us Not to pray in public and you are still looking for help so you can pray better in public ? I find that really amazing..

 

[MadParrotWoman]

If have just posted scripture from Jesus telling us Not to pray in public and you are still looking for help so you can pray better in public ? I find that really amazing..

So you are saying there is NEVER any circumstance where we should pray in church? EVER?? Do you think this is what that piece of scripture is saying? That we should not lay hands on and pray for someone in need? That we should not pray at all in church? I think the scripture you quoted is directing us to not "show off" at how well we can pray for the benefit of others in order to glorify ourselves above glorifying God?

Do you never pray in church? I find that amazing!