Will You Pray?

October 16, 2025

I never gave it a second thought. I just did it. I still remember the opportunity 25 years later. I was gathered with about 20 other people, and as our time together kicked off, I was called upon by name to pray, out loud. “Melissa, will you please pray?” It was my very first time praying in front of others.

I was a 27-year-old, brand new, baby Christian. I mean baby Christian as in, days old. I was still wet behind the ears as some would say, but people knew my life had just been radically impacted by the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ. They saw a transformation in my life. All I wanted to talk about was Jesus! Of course I wanted to pray. “I would love to,” I said. I was excited to talk to God again. And I got to do it with others!

I don’t remember what I prayed in the moment, but I remember what happened in the days afterward. One by one, individually, ladies called me and asked to talk about prayer. They asked how I found the courage to pray out loud in front of people. They said, “I’m so scared to pray out loud!” They went on to tell me about their great fears about praying publicly and discussed the “what if’s” that kept them feeling paralyzed and from praying in public.

The truth is, I never thought about praying in public. I just did it. I never let myself worry, ponder, or even think about the “what ifs.” I looked at prayer as simply having a conversation with my Father that I longed to know. I knew He loved me even though I had sinned and ran away from Him for 27 years. I had nothing to hide anymore! I had been washed clean by the blood of Christ. And now after running from Him for so long. . . I had a lot of catching up to do!

I wanted to know everything I could about Him. I wanted to learn from the Master, and what better way to do that than to sit and talk with Him. I wanted everyone else to talk with Him too! What I was now doing in public, was something I spent the last few days doing in private at home since I surrendered my life to Christ. Public prayer was simply an extension of my time alone with God that I was now inviting others into. Billy Graham once said, “Before prayer changes others, it first changes us.”

Prayer positions our heart before God and puts our posture in alignment with Him. Prayer is conversation. Now, like all conversations, it can go in many directions. There are times for: talking, listening, silence, correction, requesting, thanking, tears, singing, and so much more. There are times you want to work things out in prayer between you and the Lord, before you share them with the world!

My understanding of and need for prayer has continued to grow throughout the years, but something else has grown as well. I continue to hear of others that are afraid to pray out loud, in public, or around other people. The enemy will use so many tactics and stumbling blocks to make us overcomplicate prayer. I hear worries like: How will I know what to say, how long is too long, what if I cry, or what if I say something wrong.

Prayer is simply communion with God. I know that may feel complicated, but it’s about sharing your heart and feelings with the Lord and wanting to learn more about Him and desiring to give Him the authority to speak into your heart and life.

“The main purpose of prayer is not to make life easier, nor to gain magical powers, but to know God,” according to Phillip Yancey.

James 5:16 says, “…The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” (MSG).

So where can you start if this is a fear you face? Here are a few suggestions.

Start in the secret place by praying more during your quiet times with God.
Fall more and more in love daily with your Creator! Seek Him.
Be in the Bible and hide God’s Word deep within your heart.
Pray Scriptures out loud. Turn the Scriptures you are reading from the Word of God into prayers you are praying for you, your family, and this world. Ask God for that for you, your loved ones, and the lost. I heard an evangelist once tell someone, “To hear you pray is to hear you preach, and to hear you preach is to hear you pray!” Isn’t that a beautiful compliment!
Speak the Word of God out loud. Work on memorizing scriptures and reciting Bible verses aloud.
Verbalize prayers at home before the Lord.

Jesus prayed in private and in public. He is our model to follow! Search the Scriptures on the prayers of Jesus. There is so much to learn from Him.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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” (ESV).

Do not be anxious about anything! Anything means everything–even prayer itself and praying in front of others!

How can we be people that help lead others in prayer? First, we must be a people who pray and pray more in private than in public. We must first lead ourselves in the discipline of prayer. Will you pray? Pause in this moment. Do not be anxious, but pray to God with thanksgiving and let Him know of your desires and requests! Don’t forget to praise Him and ask Him what’s on His heart! Here we go. Heavenly Father…

How can you make Monumental Moments and live to multiply His movement today?

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