Did you ever feel intimidated to pray? Let me ask it another way: Did you ever feel intimidated to pray out loud around other people? That may have touched a nerve with some of you, but I will be the first one to admit that I had this problem at one time. My good friend Steve recently testified that one of the biggest obstacles holding him back in his Christian walk was his fear of praying out loud. He was afraid that the words may not sound right or that other people would think less of him. The fear of what other people think is the greatest stumbling block we have when it comes to praying out loud. I've got some good news today, God doesn't care what other people think!
In Sunday School last week, my three year old colored this picture. He was so proud of it when he showed it to me and I was proud of him too. In fact, I was so proud that I placed it on my refrigerator at work for everyone to see. Now, to others, this coloring may be silly. But to me, it is a priceless work of art and I place it on the same level with Rembrandt and Raphael! So, how does this coloring relate to prayer? Just like there are no bad colorings by your children, there are no bad prayers to God. All prayers are a pleasant aroma to Him. God is our father and he wants to have a relationship with us and that relationship begins on the personal level. It all starts in a conversation with our Heavenly Father.
My friend Steve overcame his prayer in a big way. The more he prayed out loud, the more God has equipped him. He is now a mighty prayer warrior! So I will leave you with this, if you are afraid to pray out, you don't have to be. Pray out loud the next chance you get and see what happens. If you're afraid, place a crayon in your pocket and rub it when you pray!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Prayer - Our Priceless Colorings for God
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8 COMMENTS...:
Great analogy Donny. The only bad prayers are those not offered up.
Amen, Hook. It is a battle between our mind and spirit that takes place when we feel uncomfortable to pray, praise, worship where others can see and hear us. We feel embarrassed. The demonstrative prayer and praise releases something. There is a freedom there that I cannot explain. You must experience it.
My family talked me into going on a roller coaster that I didn't want to ride. They told me all about it. I could see every turn, hump and swirl. I could watch how fast it traveled, but until I rode it myself I didn't have a true understanding of the experience.
Some things just have to be experienced to understand fully.
Have you been at my house? I see those pictures everywhere too.
I struggled knowing how to REALLY pray to my friend God until I went to a HomeGroup in our neighborhood. I just listened to how others just talked to their friend and then volunteered one time.
It was cemented when I started modeling it in the hallway after the kids and I read a book before bed.
More often than not, I have the opposite problem. I'm able to pray out loud with a group of people and find it more difficult to pray when I'm alone. This always worries me that I'm like the Pharisees that Jesus talks us about in Matthew 23:6
"Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, F126 and they wear extra long tassels on their robes...."
Joe, That's ok! Being still/silent and just knowing He is God is true worship. God knows your heart brother!
Joe:
There is a reason for corporate worship. It is easier to pray and worship when others join in. Think about a ball game.
If you are the only one yelling for your team, doesn't that seem uncomfortable? You feel as if all eyes are on you. You don't want that. You just want to encourage your team!
But when many others join in, the cheering becomes stronger and you feel freer to cheer.
I believe the same is true of prayer and worship. Most of us really don't like the sound of our own voice. When others join in, we don't feel as if all eyes are on us and we can concentrate more on God. Just keep talking to God. You will become more relaxed. And if it makes you feel any better, the Pharasees would do it wherever they were in hopes that SOMEONE would see or hear. By your statement I can tell that is not where your heart is.
Im Catholic and I came across this prayer that I really like.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, you who makes me see everything and shows me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and you who are in all instances of my life with me; I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything, and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be, I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual glory.
Amen.
[You must pray this prayer 3 consectutive days without asking your wish. After the third day, your wish will be granted no matter how diifcult it may be. Promise to publish this dialogue as your favour has been granted.]
Even if you don't want to a ask for anything, I still think this is a beautiful prayer.
Thanks for this post Donny!
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