Do you need to pray outloud or can you pray silently (in your head)?

Answer 1

~ Tanks... a most excellent question... worthy of an excellent answer...

~ In reading over the input thus far, they are all excellent!

~ May I offer my humble opinion:

~ Meditation is where the Lord wants us to be 'busy' in keeping Him on our lips... Saying His scriptures... Repeating His commands... Giving Him praise... Giving Him glory... Asking His protection... ALL WHILE WE ARE NOT BUSY TALKING IN THE COURSE OF OUR DAY.
Joseph led the Jews into the Promise Land of Israel... The Lord God told him to meditate always. Joseph was a very busy man... he had a million people to lead into the Promise Land... he couldn't spend all day behind a rock... or in a tent... meditating on the Lord... NO... he meditated while they were on the move... when he saw the cloud over their heads he praised God... when the Lord gave them water he praised God... when God spoke to him, he thanked God for his guidance... WHY? Because God commanded this to him, saying that if you do these things, you will surely prosper. Did the Jews prosper? YES, they did... because of Joseph's leadership... his meditation.
So, meditate while driving... mumble with your lips the praises for your life... for your family... for your friends... for the car your driving that belongs to Him... for the colors you see... for the flowers you smell...etc. No matter what your doing, if your mouth is idle, put it to use edifying God... your Creator! It blesses Him... and He will bless you!

~ Praying outloud: When we pray outloud, we are using the voice that God gave to us... in actuality, we are hearing the voice of God (we are His temple) in our own ears.
If you are praying with your voice (low, medium, high... makes no difference...), your mind focus' on the task of pronouncing the words... you are busy applying thought to the output from your voice box to your lips, where you HEAR Gods word in your ears.
Yes, being in your 'prayer closet' is the best place for this. However, while driving... walking... jogging... where you have some privacy... go for it!
Remember, however, that Satan and his demons can hear your prayers that you speak. If there is something that you do NOT want Satan to hear, then, BY ALL MEANS, pray it in your mind...
WHY? If, for example, I prayed aloud that I wanted to be debt free... Satan hears that, and his demons go into overtime to flood me with temptation of new credit cards, gambling, not paying bills on time... etc. So, don't give Satan and his demons the opportunity to defeat you or have ammunition to use against you.
Another example... (prayer spoken softly) Lord, forgive me for getting angry at that cashier a few minutes ago... help me to watch my tongue... thank you, Lord Jesus. Satan hears this, and they are delighted to whisper this in your ear... YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN... YOU ARE ALWAYS PUTTING PEOPLE DOWN... YOU ARE A SINNER... etc.
Don't let them do it! NO NO NO...
Keep the private things private.. between you and Jesus!

~ Praying in silence: Reasons as mentioned above. Another reason that silent prayer can be 'broken-up' is because of our brain activity. Remember sitting in church and listening to the pastor preach on a topic... you're right in tune with it, and then your mind wanders off in lala land... thinking about the children... the roast in the oven... the bills to be paid... the menu at the restraunt you're going to after service...
Yep! Our thoughts get diverted SO easily. Kneeling at my bed, I can be praying silently, and my mind wanders... why? I'm trying to pray... what's going on here?
So, for the silent prayers, keep them short and sweet... especially the secret ones we don't want to share in a way that could 'come back and bite' us.

~ BOTTOM LINE:
Our verbal prayer has much to offer in keeping us 'on track' with the things we have on our minds. Our silent prayer will keep it between us an Jesus.

Answer 2

Ethier way God hears you so it doesnt matter, what ever you feel more comfortable doing! Unless you are saying a prayer infront of people, like for example blessing the food at the dinner table and you are saying the prayer for everyone, then u need to pray outloud!

Answer 3

You can pray silently....God can hear you. You can pray outloud...I think it just depends on the person and where you are and what you're doing.

Answer 4

Silent prayer is an integral part of many religions. There is no need to pray out loud.

Answer 5

Pray silently and let it be your own , personal time with God. Silently communicate with God. The words silently prayed , are only between you and God. It works and in time, you will have wonderful results.

Answer 6

If you pray from the heart, God hears even your thoughts and silent prayers.

Answer 7

you pray where your heart is. If everyone who is praying for the lights to change, an easy test, etcy prayed outloud the cacophony would be deafening.
Shalom.

Answer 8

You can do whichever one you want. God hears you either way.

But I've personally found it better to actually say my prayers out loud (when I'm alone, of course), b/c it helps you get a little more intimate w/ God. And if you're confessing sin, it's better to confess "w/ your mouth".

But if you're in public, I see no problem w/ praying in your head....or if you're alone. It depends. No one can really tell you...but confessing sin sure feels a lot better (like relieving yourself of a burden) when you actually say it.

God bless.

Answer 9

You can definitely pray silently. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.

Answer 10

You can pray silently.