As early as Genesis 4:26, men have been praying. When Seth’s son was born, men began to “call on the name of the Lord.” This is where the descriptions changed from earthly pursuits to righteousness and worship. There were conversations between God and His new creations in the Garden of Eden. But in Genesis 3, everything changed, and the relationship between mankind and God was forever changed. As we have discussed, God never leaves us, but mankind often leaves God. At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed how to pray and suggested what we refer to as the Lord’s Prayer, which reads, “Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.” Early Christians adopted this prayer, and instructions were recorded in the Didache, which instructed them to pray thrice daily. The Didache is a very early text written in Koine Greek around the end of the first century, which is a collection of teachings attributed to the apostles.
Prayer is communicating with God and is central to our faith. There is no right or wrong way to pray. James 5:13 states, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” Any time we call upon God, it is a prayer. It is always a good argument with the atheist when they make statements like “Oh my God” and “Good God.” How can they not honestly believe in God if they continue to call upon God when they are in need? Praying out loud engages and enhances the message for people in a group. Silent prayer allows for a more personal conversation with God. First Thessalonians 5 tells us to “pray without ceasing.”
Praying out loud has positive and negative effects on people. It helps people feel connected and a part of the group. Out-loud prayer can enhance the focus and intent of the prayer and show boldness. It seems more straightforward to express feelings and emotions when prayers are spoken, giving the speaker accountability to those listening. The other side of spoken prayer is that it can be distracting and come off as inauthentic. Matthew 6:5 addresses false emotions, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” Being asked to pray out loud for some people is very scary. People not knowing the person praying may not understand and feel uneasy. Some places are unsuited for a loud prayer and will draw negative attention.
Matthew 6:6 addresses silent prayer, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Praying in silence also has benefits and disadvantages. Silent prayer can help develop a certain inner peace and encourage personal reflection. It is not distracting and can be done anywhere and at any time. Silent prayer allows a person to talk with God about things that should not necessarily be discussed publicly. Sharing deep personal feelings, confessing to distasteful events, and being totally honest with God is not only healthy but is asked for in many places in the Bible. Confessing one’s sins and discussing shortcomings with God is encouraged. Unfortunately, silent prayer sometimes encourages our thoughts to become daydreams and not stay on topic. Silent prayer may not feel like we are expressing and sharing with others who may need the same prayer. Unfortunately, many of us will procrastinate and not pray when we should. We must try to have a schedule to follow for worship, Bible reading, and study. A person engaged in silent prayer will not receive affirmation or encouragement from others while praying. This could be important depending on circumstances, but not if the prayer is thoughtful and sincere.Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to pray, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” You will know what the proper prayer should be depending on where you are and what you are doing. Some folks take great pleasure in their ability to pray, and others are shy and reserved. There is no such thing as a bad or poorly served prayer. God wants to hear all prayers from all people.