7 Truths Eliminating Our Fear to Pray

“I don’t know how to pray.”

“I’m scared to pray in front of others.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

These thoughts were shared by our church members to us as pastors over the years. They also wondered how often, if it mattered how, or felt unworthy.

Do they mirror your thoughts?

Prayer is supposed to be an integral part of a Christian’s life, yet fear prevents Christians from participating in this practice.

Good news! There are Biblical truths that can eliminate such fears and put us on the road to freedom through an increased prayer life.

What is Prayer?

The dictionary defines it as an act of communicating to a deity, especially as a petition, or an adoration . . . a reverent petition to a deity. Of course, we’re talking about praying to the One True Living God. Communication also involves listening, as well, which we often forget.

I prefer to explain it as talking to God, like I do when teaching Children’s Church and Sunday School. For more confidence and ease, I also taught they could pray anyhow, anytime, and anywhere. This is super important to understand.

Why Pray?

The best reason is because God commands us to. He even gave us the example of how to pray.

Prayer changes things – usually our hearts and minds.

Prayer is powerful, peaceful, and does things we are incapable of ourselves. It lightens our load.

Next to reading God’s Word, prayer is the best way to get to know Him better. It invites His presence.

Why Are We Afraid to Pray?

I always remember talking to God silently, but ask me to pray aloud, and that was a different story. Even as a minister, I fight nervousness over not saying the right things when praying for others. However, there are many reasons we’re afraid to pray at all. They are:

• Our view of God.
• God can be some scary force who punishes or is judgmental to many who might not have been taught otherwise. Perceptions of God could be based upon clergy and Christians who were harsh and sinful.
• Not knowing God in a personal way.
• People always fear the unknown. If we pray out of duty and obligation, rather than knowing Jesus as a friend is uncomfortable and scary. No one wants to talk to a stranger about problems, especially when They don’t trust them.
• Fear of being abandoned.
• Those who have been abandoned are afraid to get too close for fear He will leave them, too.
• Lack examples of prayer.
• Many Christians come to Christ out of non-Christian families so weren’t raised with examples of praying. Others might learn to pray at meals, before bed, or for the sick and injured, but not as a lifestyle with every need. Even if Christian parents pray for problems at work, the children aren’t around to witness it.
• Lack of practice.
• The only way to get comfortable with prayer is by practicing. Nothing can become a habit without practice.
• Not good or smart enough.

If we’ve been told how bad we are or perceive it ourselves, we might believe the lie that God won’t hear our prayers. Not true.

Even though we are to have a reverent fear of God, we don’t have to be afraid of talking to Him through prayer. Learn these Biblical truths and let them soak in like dry ground receiving fresh rain.

Biblical Truths

1. We don’t have to speak Old English or King James for God to understand us.
2. God knows our heart and what we’re going to say before we speak. He still desires to hear us speak it and commune with Him.
3. God hears us wherever we are. We don’t have to be in a church or at an altar to be heard by Him, although those are special times also.
4. No need is too small for God. He loves you and cares about whatever is troubling you.
5. Prayers don’t have to be a certain length. They can be two words when calling out for help, or they can be long. From the heart instead of duty is what God prefers.
6. God always answers the prayers of His children. It can be yes, no, or wait, although most American Christians don’t like to hear the word “no”. Sometimes they call answered prayer a coincidence instead of recognizing the answer to their prayer, or they might be placing their trust in the answer, based upon their own expectation, instead of placing trust in God to know best. God is sovereign. For example, when praying for a financial miracle, God might send a job or overtime, but the person praying was expecting a supernatural donation so didn’t recognize work as an answered prayer.
7. God doesn’t meet all our needs the same way every time or the same way from person-to-person. He is able to meet the same need a million different ways. He shouldn’t be put in a box as to how your prayers should be answered. Place your trust in Him to answer what he deems is best for you and those around you. 

THANKS for dropping by, SHARING this with your friends and family, and subscribing if new. You are important to me and to God. May you have more boldness in your prayer life.

© 2023, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.