praying aloud or not?

Question

Whenever we eat, do you have to pray aloud or can we just pray in our minds? Which does God prefer?

Answer 1

I recently asked a question about praying...here is one of the answers I recieved:

Sure there's a correct way to pray. Pray to the Father in the Spirit according to God's will in the name of Jesus.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

No, you don't have to follow some formula for your prayers to be heard. Those are just the Biblical guidelines. When you don't pray as you should the Holy Spirit prays for you if you are a born again believer.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Answer 2

The Word of God has not given us specifics on praying aloud or not 'when we eat'. I believe that the spirit inside of you will dictate how you pray. When I eat - I don't care where I am, I pray aloud. Not only do I want to ensure the protection of the food I am eating, I am also praying for the hands who prepared it. I am giving thanks to God for it, and for the ability to pay for it. (if in a restaurant). Even when I am at work - I pray aloud. I am not saying that I'm yelling -but I have no problems praying aloud. From this experience, I have even found others who were "ashamed" to pray aloud and followed my lead and that which had them bound and yoked - they were set free! Sometimes, people are ashamed that others around them will hear. When you have been totally surrendered to the will of God - when you are completely in the water and it's over your head - you don't care about things like that. It is a growth process and there is no right or wrong way. God sees and hears all. In fact, he knows all and knows our hearts. He knows if we have weaknesses in whatever areas and His grace and mercy COVERS our weaknesses - so you don't have to worry about what He prefers - He just wants us to pray. The Word has - pray without ceasing. So, every thought and every word from our mouths should be in some form of prayer. From the time you get up until the time you lay down at night - let your thoughts be in prayer and thanksgiving.

Answer 3

God knows what you are going to say, but I think it is a courtesy to him and a witness to others by praying aloud before we eat. I don't mean that you have to shout - even uttering the words under your breath and bowing your head will work. However, that said, which do you prefer? God is just glad you ARE praying!

Answer 4

God hears both. If you are praying for the whole table, then aloud is preferable so that the others know what you are praying and so that they can silently share in your prayer. If you are alone, it does not matter.

Answer 5

you can pray however you want...... He still hears you, whether you pray by speaking, singing, writing, thinking, or dreaming. God knows your heart. He does not have a preference. I pray aloud at home or in a Christian friend's home, but out in a restaurant, usually I pray in my mind.

Answer 6

If someone offers a prayer to a group (more than 1) it is done aloud, unless it is a silent prayer then all pray in there mind.

If you are alone (no one near enough to hear you) you can pray aloud, or pray in your mind.

Do not make a show or praying

Answer 7

Both. He don't want us to pray out loud to boast and show off that we are Christians. We should be respectful when praying. If you are in the company of other believers it is OK to join together in prayer. However if the company is mixed don't force others to pray. This is when you should bow your head and say a silent prayer. They will see you pray and respect you for it, and they will be glad that you didn't make a big scene about it.

Answer 8

God is not a physical being, his understanding is not based on the vibrations of matter being transmitted to his ear. He knows what you're thinking before you say it, but he likes to have your undivided attention sometimes.

It doesn't matter whether you speak aloud, or not. Jesus even scolded people for praying aloud because they were doing it to show everybody else how religious they were.

And praying before meals is just a tradition, not a requirement. Its a good tradition, though, to show gratitude to the God who supplied your food.

Answer 9

It's okay if you don't pray aloud saying "grace". God knows the mind and the heart, He hears you!

Answer 10

God knows your every thought, even before you say it. So as long as your heart is in the right place, then you may pray which ever way you like. There is NO boundaries to praying. You can do it, anywhere, anytime, and however you like!!