Prayer Boot CampSample

Step 2:  Pray out loud on your own.

Do you ever pray out loud while talking to God on your own? If not, try it today. Consider it practice. If you would like to pray out loud with others, praying aloud on your own is a great opportunity to build comfort. 

Sometimes we lack confidence, worrying that our prayers are inadequate. Typically, when we have these thoughts, it’s when we are around others who seem to pray more eloquent prayers. But in Luke 18, Jesus explains how the sinful tax collector’s prayer is more acceptable than the religious Pharisee’s prayer. Why? Because the sinful person was humble, honest, and focused on communicating with God rather than elevating himself. 

When you begin to feel nervous, remind yourself that the goal of prayer is to communicate with God, not to impress others.

But why pray out loud?

Hearing your own prayer does a couple of things.

1) It helps keep your attention focused on prayer, preventing your mind from wandering.

2) There’s something about hearing your own prayers that instills a bit more faith into your heart.

God,

Strengthen our ability to pray for others. As we pray out loud, increase our faith and confidence in You.

Amen.