Praying aloud can be scary particularly in a group setting where others can agree or disagree.

Fear in Prayer

Praying out loud can hit the root of our insecurities. We fear man. We fear our own pride. But it is as we pray anyway that we begin to find true healing. What better way to find freedom from the fear of man than in prayer to God.

Remember, if you have turned from your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ you have become a child of God (Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:1-3). This makes talking to God aloud no more strange than talking to a human father. Praying aloud forces us to view God as our Father for how else could we even approach Him?

Viewing God as our Father by no way diminishes his grandeur. Jesus knew the perfect balance when he prayed in this way “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Mathew 6:9b-10

Pride in Prayer

Sometimes people refrain from praying out loud because they don’t want others to think they are proud. This is a poisonous blend of pride and fear. The antidote for this toxin is faith and action.

We don’t want to be the pharisee who prays on the street corner just to be heard by men. But the solution is not to hide in fear. That is the Devil’s solution. The Kingdom path is the path of faith and action.

You won’t overcome this challenge until you start praying out loud. Ask God for humility. Fear God. Focus on Jesus. This takes a mental discipline that you only learn through practice.

What do you think?

• Are you afraid to pray out loud? Why do you think that is?
• For those of you who overcame this fear how did you do it?

Related posts:

1. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Power (Part 2) We live in a world spoken into existence. The power...
2. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1) Someone once asked me. "Why should we bother to voice...
3. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3) If you can write company checks in the boss’ name...

Authority to Pray in Jesus Name

Have you ever been in a group of people trying to make a decision and one person persuaded the group? What probably happened was that person spoke with authority. This is how Jesus spoke and it caused even his enemies to marvel (Mark 1:22).

If you can write company checks in the boss’ name it means you have his authority to spend company money.

In that same way Jesus allows us to act in his name.

As a follower of Christ you can pray in Jesus’ name. That means you have the ability to use heavenly power.

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17-18

This is both exciting and troubling. Remember, you must give an account for how you use Christ’s authority just as you must account for your use of company money.

Authority Over Darkness

Jesus has also given his followers the authority over the forces of darkness.

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Luke 10:19

We can get into trouble when we don’t walk in Jesus’ authority. I find I get beat up by spiritual bullies when I don’t walk in the authority. Being a Christian and not walking in authority is like having a concealed handgun license but leaving your gun at home.

When we pray we must take authority over our flesh as well as demonic influences who try to disrupt our time with the King. A great way to do this is to pray aloud. Our authority comes from Jesus and what He did on the cross. When we put our faith in Him we may approach the throne in boldness knowing our prayers will be heard.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:13-15

What Authority Sounds Like

How do people with authority speak?

Do they mumble and mutter to themselves? Of course not! They speak loudly and with confidence.

How can we pray in authority if we wont even pray aloud?

We also pray with confidence for we know God will answer. Remember we pray in His Son’s name. He promises to answer.

Shouting in Prayer

I can think of several times when it is even appropriate and indeed needed to shout in prayer. The first is when we are praising God, rejoicing over a spiritual triumph or expressing joy.

“We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.” Psalm 20:5

Another time when it is appropriate to shout is when interacting with unclean spirits. Shouting can help convince them that you are convinced of the power you have in Christ Jesus. Christ already won the victory on the cross and so we can shout in victory!

“Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” Psalm 60:8

Moab, Edom and Philistia were the primary enemies of Israel. As Christians our primary enemies are the world the flesh and the devil. Through Jesus we can shout for triumph and take authority over them. Our entire body engages when we shout and it is any easy way to engage in spiritual warfare.

Must we shout?

Do you need to shout to take authority? No, but it doesn’t hurt.

The more convinced of your authority you become the more a mere whisper can move mountains.

This is not a mumble but an intense whisper. I don’t know many people able to pray with this sort of authority but those who do can move mountains. Praying aloud will help develop your confidence and help you pray with authority.

What do you think?

• Do you ever shout when you pray? Why or why not?
• When you shout does it help?
• Are you timid when you pray? Why or why not?

Related posts:

1. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Power (Part 2) We live in a world spoken into existence. The power...
2. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1) Someone once asked me. "Why should we bother to voice...
3. Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4) Praying aloud can be scary particularly in a group setting...

Power of the Tongue

We live in a world spoken into existence. The power of God’s tongue created the world.

He made us in His image and our tongues have power as well. In fact, of all of the faculties imparted to mankind the tongue may be the most powerful.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
- King Solomon

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
- King Solomon

The Sword of the Spirit

The Bible often compares the tongue to a sword Psalm 57:4, Psalm 64:3, Proverbs 12:18. Swords were the primary weapon in the ancient world and the tongue is our primary weapon in the spiritual war.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.

Praying aloud allows you to brandish the sword of the Spirit. The unspoken word of God is about as deadly as a sword still in it’s scabbard. As you put His words in your mouth you will see the world change around you. When you pray in your mind only God hears you. But, when you pray aloud the unseen spiritual hears you, and trembles.

A Dangerous Weapon

Like a rudder on a ship the tongue can change the course of history. It can build up and tare down. Of the many uses of our tongue, prayer is the least likely to do harm and the most likely to do good.

But still we must be careful for as Saint James asks, “Who can tame the tongue?”

Jesus has given His followers the authority to influence the unseen spiritual realm in His name. We must be careful not to take his name in vain by doing something he wouldn’t do. If I have the authority to sign company checks I must buy only what my boss would buy.

If you are unaccustomed to praying aloud, praying the scriptures is a great place to start. Start by praying the Psalms. Then move into other books. For example, after you read about Jesus exhorting his disciples to preach the Gospel, pray aloud that God would give you boldness to obey.

A great book I would recommend on prayer is From Duty to Delight: Finding Greater Joy in Daily Prayer.

Walking in Victory

God has given you a mighty weapon. Will you achieve victory without using it?

Are you

• Struggling in your spiritual walk?
• Going through a tough season?
• Feeling defeated?

If so, brandish your tongue and pray out loud in boldness. You will see the world around you change. You will see yourself change. You may move the heart of God.

What do you think?

• Do you think that prayer effects the unseen world?
• When you fight spiritual warfare does it help to pray out loud?
• What keeps you from paying out loud?

Related posts:

1. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Agreement (Part 1) Someone once asked me. "Why should we bother to voice...
2. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3) If you can write company checks in the boss’ name...
3. Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4) Praying aloud can be scary particularly in a group setting...

Someone recently asked me what the point was to all these pro-life marches. We have marched a lot in recent weeks so the question is valid. I would like to submit the following 5 reasons why we should march and rumble for life.

Marching Encourages our Leaders

One of the challenges of leadership is that the higher you rise the more out of touch you become. Leaders rely on the media to clue them in on what the people think. The media makes it look like no one cares about life but a handful of cooks.

When we march we remind our leaders we stand behind them when they stand for life. We give them the courage to push for change.

Marching Changes Hearts

You should have seen the faces of those who watch pro-life marches and rumbles. 40 Days for Life has seen hearts changed and lives saved all over the world through marches and vigils.

Marching Inspires Prayer

There is something powerful that happens to your heart when you put life tape on. Somehow it makes prayer easier and it breaks your heart. I am a big advocate for praying out loud but sometimes silent prayer is powerful too.

The more we march, the more we will pray.

Marching Inspires Action

Inviting friends to a march is a great way to move them from apathy to action. From doing nothing to to doing something. Without a march it would be harder to get people to care enough about life to do something other than harden their hearts.

Marching Earns Attention

The media loves to cover events like marches and rumbles. The more we focus the attention of the nation on this atrocity the more they will be forced to take action. Martin Luther King Jr. knew this.

We must march if we want to see a change. You can’t change the world from your couch.

What do you think?

• Do you come to Pro-life marches? Why or why not?
• What would need to happen to get you to show up?
• Are you afraid to take a stand for life?
• What have the pro-life events that you have attended been like? Would they encourage you to come again?

Related posts:

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Someone once asked me. “Why should we bother to voice our prayers when God already knows our thoughts?” In response I have come up with four benefits to praying aloud. This is an adaptation from a series I did on my old blog.

Silent Prayer is Fine

Using our tongue to pray is by no means the only way to pray. In fact, it is possible to pray aloud for the wrong motives Matthew 6:5-8.

We must be careful how we pray but I am convinced that voiced prayer offers at least four benefits over silent prayer.

Team Prayer

Praying aloud allows those with you to agree with you in prayer. For some reason there is great power when people agree in prayer.

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 16:19-20

Perhaps, part of the power comes from numbers. We see this in nature. A pack of wolves are more powerful than a lone wolf. But there is a spiritual component as well.

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12.

Think of it this way, when people agree with you it is like they amplify your prayers. When you pray silently no one can agree with you because they do not know what you are saying. You might as well be praying in tongues or in a foreign tongue.

When you send a delegation to the king wouldn’t you want more than one person? God wants His body to work together. God calls us to pray in the closet but he also calls us to pray in agreement with each other.

What do you think?

• Do you find it easier or harder to pray with others? Why?
• What keeps you from agreeing with others in prayer?
• Do you feel your prayers are more effective when you pray with others?

Related posts:

1. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Power (Part 2) We live in a world spoken into existence. The power...
2. Spoken Prayer and Our Insecurities (Praying Aloud Part 4) Praying aloud can be scary particularly in a group setting...
3. The Benefits of Praying Aloud: Authority (Part 3) If you can write company checks in the boss’ name...