Praying is an essential part of Christianity they personifies faith in God, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you pray out loud or silently, know that God hears your prayers. When praying, always remember that you are directly communicating with God, and if you do so with faith, trust, and belief that He will hear you, He will.
Should I Pray Out Loud Or Silently?
The question, should I pray out loud or silently is often asked of new believers or those entering into the Christian faith and fellowship for the first time. For some, the very aspect of prayer can be intimidating. After all, when you pray, you’re opening a direct line of communication from you to God. Will He hear you?
In the Old Testament book of Samuel (1:13) the Bible tells us “…now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.” Her husband thought she was intoxicated, and she replied, “… No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord…”
And in the New Testament book of Matthew (6:6), Jesus tells us, “…but when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
These verses of both the Old and New Testament tell us that we don’t have to pray out loud. Even if we pray silently, He will hear us.
How Should You Speak When You Pray Out Loud or Silently?
How should you speak when you pray? Most of all, when praying silently or praying out loud, do so with respect, considering you’re speaking directly to the Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Remember that a prayer is a request or a communication from you directly to God. Prayers can be given in secret, in public, and for any number of reasons. However, the Bible also teaches us in the New Testament, that personal responsibility and requirements when praying should be observed. One is purity of heart. The second is believing in Christ’s name. The third is understanding that your prayers will be answered according to God’s will.
According to the New Testament, (First John: 5, 14-15), we are offered additional guidance in prayer. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
What to Say When You Pray Silently?
Whether you are praying silently or praying out loud, always speak the truth, from your heart. God knows what’s in your heart already. He knows everything about you. Why shouldn’t he? He created you. His son Jesus Christ has told us that God the Father knows what we need before we do. Does that mean that your prayer won’t be answered if it’s something you want? No, it doesn’t. However, it’s also important to remember that “God’s will be done” – meaning His will, and not yours.
Just because you’re praying doesn’t mean that everything and anything you ask for will be given to you. This is why a person should not be selfish or use prayer without reverence, humbleness, and gratitude. The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God, and you’re doing that whether you pray out loud or silently.
Always remember that prayer is not just to ask for something you want. Some of the most meaningful prayers and communications between man and God found in both the Old and New Testaments pray for strength, not just physically, but spiritually. Other prayers commonly found are those that offer blessings and thanks. We must always be grateful. God will take care of us. He will give us what we need, even if it’s not what we asked for.
Whether you’re praying silently or praying out loud, do so with a humble spirit. Begin your prayer with a salutation, such as, My Heavenly Father, or, Lord, or God… and then say what you want to say. A prayer to God can also be a prayer offered to His son, Jesus Christ, as well as the Holy Spirit. Many prayers end within ‘amen’. The term ‘amen’ is a closing of sorts, like a letter signed with ‘Sincerely’, or ‘With best regards’. For many, saying Amen at the end of prayer confirms that you have prayed and asked of God what you will, and that you believe you will be heard.
Faith and belief in your prayers are one of the pillars of Christianity. You don’t always have to say Amen at the end of her prayer. However, the term is found throughout the Holy Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. It’s a conclusion of sorts, an acknowledgment that you believe God has truly heard your words, whether they’re spoken out loud or from the depths of your heart.
Praying can be a very private and personal aspect of faith and belief that can be done differently by every person, but always through careful reflection and understanding that you are speaking to God the Heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
A Few Things to Remember When Praying Out Loud or Silently
When praying out loud with a group or you’re praying silently, do so with a true and faithful spirit. Also, be humble with your prayers. Your prayers can also be used to give thanks to God for your health, your family, your job, or any of the other things in life that are often taken for granted. So when praying out loud or silently, do so with a pure heart and not out of greed. Remember that God hears the truth of your heart and not just the words you speak, either silently or out loud.
