In private prayer I have no complaints yet I find it very difficult to pray publicly. Common occurances are my mind going blank, no real idea what to say, and of course nerves. Any suggestions or helps?

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Richard
CofE
UK

DOn;t try to be profound, wise or sound good.

Avoid the pious sounding tone of voice. If we can truly approach God we need not change dialects are sound all fancy. A simple reverance without window dressing is better than trying to sound spiritual.

Avoid old English and "Christianeze" or other technology terms and just spill your heart.

Avoid cliches, (praying for safety during a trip home might be better than adopting a cliched phrase "travelling mercies")...

Don;t blame every pain or travail or sickness on the will of God. We know this. Related point: WHen you pray..pray, don;t preach.

If a kid cannot tell what you are praying for, then something is wrong. Be clear, simple and heartfelt.

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

Richard you're not alone. I have the same problem. One thing I do when possible is to consider beforehand what will be taking place whether it be Sunday worship, a session meeting, etc. I sit down and think about how I should pray if I'm called on to do so. It's not necessary to memorize your prayers - just have a good idea of what you might say. When I don't know what's coming ahead of time, I make sure that I pay close attention to what's going on and what's being said. This will go a long way in making your prayers appropriate to the situation. Don't discount practice - meaning the more you do it the easier it will become. Hope this helps.

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Jim Polk
Former/resigned Ruling Elder, Pilgrim Church, PCA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jud 1:3 . . .contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

God does whatever is right . . . right is whatever God does.

Also, there is no shame in writing out your prayers.

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Wes Bredenhof
Co-pastor, Langley Canadian Reformed Church
Langley, British Columbia
www.bredenhof.ca

There is much practical wisdom on public prayer here: Samuel Miller, Thoughts on Public Prayer.

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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

Good advice, all.

I would add, pray aloud at times (when appropriate) in your personal prayer time as well.

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~James Helbert~, Wytheville, VA
Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCUS
TheBibleAlone.com / The Edinburgh Inn
"Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” - Zechariah 3:2

I do that when I preach or give the pastoral prayer. If God has not given you the gift of gab, the congregation will appreciate your preparation.

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Jim Polk
Former/resigned Ruling Elder, Pilgrim Church, PCA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jud 1:3 . . .contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

God does whatever is right . . . right is whatever God does.

2 important scriptures that have helped my 'long winded, holier than thou, prayer dialect', as my wife calls it, are:

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.


And "Lord have mercy on me, a sinner"

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N. Robert; Trinity Reformed Church RCA, Holland MI

Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right."

It is useful to go through the various expositions of the Lord's prayer, especially Watson's, Boston's, and Fisher's. There are the prayers in the Book of Common Prayer; and also a number of 19th cent. family devotions books which are helpful. But all of these are only beneficial if one reads them whilst meditating on his spiritual needs as a Christian.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."