When prayer is difficult

[Maureen]

Can anyone understand this or even relate to it.

I find it very difficult to pray audibly in the prayer meeting, and if our Pastor calls on me to, I am so nervous even before he does.

Lately it is getting worse for me, I have even thought about missing a service in fear of being called to pray in the congragation.

I know Jesus has not given us a spirit of fear, so I know it it is not from him, but I am a shy, quiet person always have been don't like to be the centre of attention, prefer to mellow into the backround.

Am fine on a one to one basis but in a group setting, no.

We are all made differantly by God and although he changes us into a new creature we still have the nature we were born with, as I take this from my Father.

This as I said is getting worse for me, and troubling, I am praying and will continue to, one to one with Jesus.

Just would like some imput from yourselves. Whatever it may be.
May the Lord bless your thoughts as you bring them.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Hi there Maureen

You are right that God has not given us a spirt of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 tim.1.7

I do not think anyone should put pressure on a person to pray in a group setting. Everyone is at a different stage in their walk with Jesus.

Maybe you could talk to the person privately and ask them not to do this as you are so nervous about it.

Jesus told us when we pray to go into our room so do not feel bad because you cannot pray in a group out loud.

Matt.6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It took me some time to be able to do it too.

Just ask Jesus to help you as He does say when you start to speak he will fill your mouth with the words.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Stylez4Christ]

7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Dose that scripture mean about speaking in tongues because I know some people who are against people who speak in tongues use this verse to support there theory

 

[monkeys]

Hi Maureen,

I used to be like that - scared to pray in public. It took me a while actually. You could do that too, gradually. Don't think of the other people in the room, just think you are talking to the Lord.

Maybe you could start prayer with two other people, and so forth. I know it's easy to say and hard to do, but you shouldn't give up.

Fear doesn't come from the Lord, so continue to press forth. Try to break down those wall. Satan may be trying to keep you from praying in public because what you pray may touch another person's heart or convict them. God uses us in mysterious ways.

I really pray that the Lord will break this shyness from you when it comes to prayer. I pray that you will be able to be comfortable!

Bless you sister,
monkeys

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Can anyone understand this or even relate to it.

I find it very difficult to pray audibly in the prayer meeting, and if our Pastor calls on me to, I am so nervous even before he does.

Lately it is getting worse for me, I have even thought about missing a service in fear of being called to pray in the congragation.

I know Jesus has not given us a spirit of fear, so I know it it is not from him, but I am a shy, quiet person always have been don't like to be the centre of attention, prefer to mellow into the backround.

Am fine on a one to one basis but in a group setting, no.

We are all made differantly by God and although he changes us into a new creature we still have the nature we were born with, as I take this from my Father.

This as I said is getting worse for me, and troubling, I am praying and will continue to, one to one with Jesus.

Just would like some imput from yourselves. Whatever it may be.
May the Lord bless your thoughts as you bring them.

I felt the same way when I first got saved but, after a while, I learned a couple of things:

# 1 - The other people in the group were not analyzing my performance; they were joining in the prayer. The only person who was analyzing me was
........me!

# 2 - Its not about me! It was never supposed to be about me. Its about
Jesus; his love, his Lordship, his majesty. When I concentrate on him;
when I honor him for who he is, my self-centered fear dissolves and I
get caught up in him and, instead of being a fearful experience, its a
"WOW!" experience.

SLE

 

[Chad]

I completely agree with all the responses. Especially SLE's response. Its really all about Jesus so we need to drop self concern and pray to glorify Him and hear His voice, feel His presence. This will blot out any fear as well.

GOD bless sister

 

[HouseofJudah]

I also used to be shy praying in a large setting. But as I matured spiritually and gained confidence in myself and GOD's grace upon my life I found it easier to do. I still prefer to pray one on one with a person as it makes it feel more personal and direct. I am not too comfortable about praying general prayers.

 

[Maureen]

Quite a few mixed responses there, thank you all, very much needed.

I have tried to blot out the 'other' people in the group setting but it doesn't work for me.

I once read, it's not that you feel you can't pray, it's because you feel you can't pray like other people can'

That made a lot of sense to me, because our fellowship can pray each one for ages, sometimes they re-pray again and again, but that piece of scripture 'babbling like pagans for they think they will be heard for their many words' always was brought to my mind.

Perhaps I'm wrong in that, but at times to listen to very long winded prayers can be a chore, especially as I suffer with osteoporosis in my lower spine, and what used to be a lovely experience becomes hard.

Thank you for all your help, I couldn't answer about the tongues StylezforChrist I've heard so many different versions on that, one Pastor forbid them to be used at all, and it does tell us that better a few words spoken that can be understood than many in tongues. That's all I can add.

I did like your post LLJ perhaps because it suits me, but it was so reassuring to hear it anyway.

The 'Brethren' Denomination do not allow women to pray out, they take it on the scripture that they are not to speak in church but wait until at home and ask their husbands.

My Dad was a Brethren man and I went with him every Sunday night, I would have continued at his church only my husband wouldn't go to it.

Thank you all so much.

 

[Maureen]

Just a little thought I've had now and before.

That when, as tis promised in God's word, Acts16V31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

So when my husband gets saved,
then praying along with him will be the help I need to overcome this.

Make any sence?

 

[ladylovesJesus]

It will be good when your husband does give his heart to Jesus as you will then have him to pray with. It will greatly improve the marriage too.

We are overcomers in Christ. You will be just fine as you get used to praying.

It is God we are praying to and not man. We are only to please God. He knows your heart too.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Maureen]

Thank you sister LLJ
Monkey I have tried not thinking about the other people around me but it doesn't work for me anyway.

It will come in the Lord's leading, sometimes I get myself in a tiz
over these things and Jesus is not the author of confusion.

 

[jiggyfly]

Maureen, don't put too much emphasis on praying aloud in front of others. When God wants you to, He will give you the boldness to do it. There are some things that just need to be kept intimate between you and Father. For the most part, vocalized public prayer is over-rated and generally ends up moving from vertical to horizontal anyway. So just rest in the Lord Jesus and let Him show when and how and where.

 

[Chad]

Maureen, don't put too much emphasis on praying aloud in front of others. When god wants you to, He will give you the boldness to do it. There are some things that just need to be kept intimate between you and Father. For the most part, vocalized public prayer is over-rated and generally ends up moving from vertical to horizontal anyway. So just rest in the Lord Jesus and let Him show when and how and where.

I absolutely agree with this. For the most part, prayer really should be in private, one-on-one with GOD (vertically). I really am not so fond of public prayer myself unless it is a truly humble group of believers coming in BODY to pray for an urgent matter at least.

Matthew 18:19-21

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers,[a] I am there among them.”

 

[Stylez4Christ]

7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Dose that scripture mean about speaking in tongues because I know some people who are against people who speak in tongues use this verse to support there theory

I was asking a question and no body don't seem to care to tell me about that scripture versemg:

 

[jiggyfly]

I was asking a question and no body don't seem to care to tell me about that scripture versemg:

7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Dose that scripture mean about speaking in tongues because I know some people who are against people who speak in tongues use this verse to support there theory

Sorry Stylez4ChristI didn't realize that you were asking for input. The scripture you listed has nothing to do with speaking or praying in tongues. It has to do with chanting and reciting repetitive prayers mostly.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Amen I never saw the question either. People just go on and on in praying which is not necessary as Jesus said to ask precisely what we want. He knows already but wants us to ask Him.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[NurseRobin55]

Prayer


AMEN Lady...a great response to this post
Hugs,
Nurse Robin

 

[Maureen]

StylzforChrist
I didn't ignore your question, I just couldn't add much, my post is on page one.

I have heard on television quiz shows people speaking in tongues on command, which I thought rather quaint, especially on tv.

One man lately said he blessed the quiz master that was his interpretation.

I am going to let the Lord deal with it as he knows best, and if I let my Pastor know not to pressure me into it, all should be well.

Let the Lord lead as he sees fit. His will be done in our lives.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Maureen, It may be a long dry spell for you if you wait until your husband gets saved.Its never good to try to time those kinds of things. I think it would be best for you to find a lady in your church to practice praying with.

SLE

 

[seventhseal]

:shade: I suggest you remember some basic ingredients of prayer:
thanks
adoration
worship
repentance
request for more wisdom & maturity
mentioning those in need and are absent.

Maybe that would make it easier.