Why is it that some Christians find it difficult to pray in an assembly ?

Question

Ever been in an assembly and asked someone to lead us in prayer, and no one wants to do it? I am not suggesting that we do away with our humility and say, Oh let me, let me say the prayer! But when asked to pray, why not do it?

SHARE A>your words remind me of another story in the Bible. Matthew 4:6

SPLEENWATER>Matthew 4:6

Praying to God your heavenly Father shouldn't be any harder that talking to your earthly father. As a matter of fact it should be easier.

Answer 1

My prayers are short sweet and to the point and that's the reason why I don't pray in an assembly.
Everyone else's prayers are long and elaborate and sound very good while mine are still good they don't sound as glorified as everyone else's.
My mind tends to wander after about 5 minutes of listening to someone praying out loud and I feel that if I did that I would sound silly because I would run out of things to say and stumble all over myself.
I have prayed during bible study and when I was finished I looked around and noticed the dissatisfaction on everyone's faces as if they were thinking "Is that all?" so I quite volunteering to pray out loud after that.
It's actually sad because I would like to pray but am unable to because I'm just not as good at it as everyone else.
But I still pray to God privately when I'm by myself or with my family.

Answer 2

Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

I don't mind praying out loud, but I think I pray better silently. I guess most of us are a bit stilted when we are pressing to do well praying out loud. The worse thing is that your eye may fall on man, when you mean to focus on God.

God hears your heart's cry. When you speak a wrong name or say the wrong prayer need accidentally,

God knows all about it, and Scripture says the Holy Spirit translates our prayers for us.

John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“


If you hear mistakes, don't worry, God knows we are just dust. He hears our heart's prayer!

If you make mistakes, take your eyes off the imperfect listeners in the congregation who may be offfended.

Concentrate on the One who loves you, and appreciates you exercising your "spiritual muscles" by praying to Him.


Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Answer 3

Well hon...
Another poster said Matthew 6:6-7... but I think it is a matter of backing it up one verse:

Matthew 6:5 When you pray, don't be like those show-offs who love to stand up in public and pray in the meeting places and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward.

Matthew 6:6 When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and He will reward you.

I am more comfortable praying in a group committed to praying for intercessory prayers of the individual members than for corprate prayers that has a "Presentation" of someone as the prayer leader.

This is NOT to say that I do not believe in group prayer:

Matthew 18:19-20 I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.

...But asking ME to pray IN CHURCH with a gender mixed group - the verses against causing others to stumble in their faith, ring - simultaneously with the verses against women speaking in church - in my ears, and I hesitate a moment.

I have witnessed televangelists who pray for others with such a sweet heart - it is clear they are genuine in thier petition. I have seen others who are performing for the camera... Same goes in a Worship service... I have seen genuine leadership in a prayer - and people who wrote it down ahead of time to present their best performance.

In a Church assembly - I am more comfortable with the Pastor - our chosen leader - leading the prayer... but in a small group - when asked, I will. Either way - Matthew 6:5 needs to be remembered.

Peace.

Answer 4

I'm really an introvert and don't like to pray out loud in front of others. But it isn't just prayers, it could be anything.....a speech, reading aloud for others, etc. I just can't do it---and being pentecostal, it made me feel like there was something wrong with my spiritual walk in the early years after I was saved, because pentecostals always pray out loud. I finally learned I didn't have to be like everyone else--God could hear my silent prayers just fine. At home alone, I do pray and talk to God out loud though.

I think pentecostal pastors should be more sensitive to people who aren't comfortable praying aloud--and not call on them to pray publicly. My father-in-law was really bad to do that to me at his weekly prayer meetings, to the point that I finally told him if he did it again I wouldn't be back. He finally got it! LOL

Answer 5

Yes do it;Anybody hear know anything Good about Jesus of Nazareth,? Then tell it;
Pray from the Heart , should You slip a word or two,No Matter God Loves You,Some other person
may not like it;Doesn"t Matter,don"t be a man-Women Pleaser;

Answer 6

I think it is just a trick of the devil to make people think they are some way inadequate to pray in front of people. I have been asked to lead in prayer before and to begin with, I would get a little nervous, but then I would just stop and think, this is the Lord I am talking to, He loves me and wants to hear what I have to say.

Answer 7

For me personally, I feel that when I pray out loud to where others can hear what I am saying I become VERY self conscious. My focus is then NOT on the Lord & what I am TRYING to convey to Him, but rather on what I think other people should hear me saying. I prefer that my prayers be "special" between myself & the Lord God. Though on occasion I know it is important to pray aloud for & with others, and I do try, but again it is difficult to stay focused on WHO I am praying to, rather than the people that are with me.

Answer 8

I don't know why some don't like to pray in a group or lead the prayer.

Answer 9

Fear of messing up, I guess. It's prolly first cousin to "agorolaliophobia" -- the fear of public speaking. Suppose you're praying and instead of saying "In God's name we pray" you say "In nod's game we pray" because you're nervous?

Myself, I'm a ham, so I've never had problems with either, but I can imagine why people do.

Answer 10

Some are shy. Some feel uncomfortable praying in public ( feeling it is a very personal thing) Others feel they are not worthy to pray in front of others.