“Prayer in the Hebrew Bible is an evolving means of interacting with God, most frequently through a spontaneous, individual, unorganized form of petitioning and/or offering thanksgiving.” (Wikipedia, 2021)
More than once I have heard someone say, “I hope no one asks me to pray; I am not very good at it”.
I understand stage freight and I understand the feeling of not being prepared but I have learned that there is nothing to fear when it comes to us praying, either when we are alone or if we are asked to pray in a public setting.
I believe, by grace, God hears each prayer that is uttered. I also believe there are things in our lives, as Scripture teaches, that can hinder our prayers, yet we are no longer held to the measure of the Law which caused us to be separated from God’s presence. Because of God’s grace, we all have direct access to the Father through His son, who freely gave His life for us, therefore giving us the freedom to speak with Him directly. Furthermore, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) My advice: Do not let fear stop you from praying just because you think you are not eloquent enough for God’s ears to hear you.
Where does scripture tell us that our words must be poetry? Why do we think that our heavenly Father’s time will be wasted if our words are not perfect enough?
As a mother, it would break my heart into a million pieces if my children stopped speaking to me because they believed their words were imperfect. I can only imagine how God’s heart must break when His children will not speak to Him because they feel their words are not good enough.
Remember this: God has withheld nothing from us. Long before we were even born, He loved us. He will not turn you away because your words are not perfect. When He looks at you, He sees His child. He gave His best for you.
Prayer is simply talking to God. We have many conversations each day. Why allow the fear of not being good enough keep us from conversing with our heavenly Father? He is, after all, the One who created you. He promises to provide all that you have need of, and He cannot lie. He can deliver you out of the hands of destruction, darkness, and straight from the evil one. And He wants to hear from you. He is extending His ear to you right now in this very moment. He offers you a place at His table. He says to you now, “Come, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18)
Prayer is not just for church. Prayer is not just for those who are good with words. Prayer is a gift from God. To be able to speak directly to the Almighty is monumental. Do not let fear of not being good enough keep you from entering the most important relationship you ever have and do not let fear keep you from talking to the One who gave everything to have that relationship with you.
