"For Praying Out Loud!"

I love to pray out loud!

I grew up in the Church of Christ, and it is customary that women are not leaders except in children's classes. So unfortunately, I did not have the example of praying women in my life. It wasn't until after I was married that I met Cathy, my mentor. She didn't know at the time that she was my mentor, and frankly, I didn't know either at the time. I loved to hear Cathy pray. When she prayed, it was from her heart. The ladies in our Sunday School would meet about once a month, and no matter what the agenda was for the evening Cathy always ended each night by praying for each and every women there. It was probably the first time that I heard someone pray for me! I grew up listening to people that prayed using the old English that the King James was written in. It was very reverent. But when Cathy prayed, she used words just like she would if she were talking to me. She even laughed and cried while she prayed. Sometimes she even told God she was mad! Before learning from her, I swore that one of the spiritual gifts listed in the Bible had to be praying just like preaching and teaching and giving. But it just wasn't my gift! However, that's not the case. It a command given, not a gift. "Pray without ceasing." I learned from her that my God is very real, very personal, very loving. It wasn't until Cathy and her family had to moved away, that I realized how much I had learned from her, how much I depended on her. Then I had to figure it all out for myself.

I am very passionate about pray and the power of it. I am guilty though of not doing enough of it. For me, there is not much that more uplifting and empowering than hearing a group of believers calling out to their Lord. I say I get tickled, but I think it's really my heart breaking, when I hear people come before our Father with a pray with so little faith. Because in my heart I'm just thinking, "They don't get it, Lord." One thing I have learned is that God is less concerned about my "request" and more concerned about what I believe about Him.

I want to encourage those of you that don't mind praying out loud to do it as often as you are given the opportunity. Chances are that there are other people like me that just need to be taught how to pray. If you are like me, and don't like to pray out loud, I encourage you to start in a room with no one but you and God. If your voice is only as loud as whisper, that's okay, God still hears it. Praying out loud, even at a whisper, will keep you focused on your conversation with God and you won't be as likely to let your mind wonder. I can't tell you how many times I would start praying silently, and the next thing I know I trying to remember what I need from the store tomorrow.

I can testify that practice makes it easier.