Fears of Praying

Created and posted for your consideration by Jennifer at 9:35 PM

I've never been one for public prayers. I don't mind other people praying--I just don't like praying in front of people. I joined the LDS church when I was just 10 years old. My family went in and out of being active members. By the time I hit high school age I brought myself to want to go... I went for me. But no matter how old or comfortable I got with going to church, I never worked up the courage to volunteer to pray in public.


I never liked how my Sunday school teachers would randomly call class members to say the prayer. I always kept my head low, and said a silent prayer that I wouldn't be called upon. A few times I even turned down the offer when I was asked. The ploy "prayers equal blessings" never worked for me.

It's not speaking in public that frightens me. I'd gladly give a talk in front of a crowd before giving a prayer during sacrament meeting.

I think part of it is fear for loosing my words, or not knowing what to say. I've also always been a little insecure about my knowledge of "church terms" or phrases that I may get wrong during the prayer.

My eyes were opened to a cure for my fears during my first semester at BYU. I didn't realize at the time but the whispers in between Sunday school classes brought the taboo subject to my attention. The gentleman who said the prayer after sacrament meeting had written his prayer beforehand, and read it to the congregation.

While others called it just short of disrespectful the only word that game to my mind was "genius" pure genius!

I haven't written a prayer myself. I imagine if I'm ever asked to pray in front of the entire congregation I may. I don't think there's anything wrong with it myself--The sacrament prayer is read.
A prayer is from the heart, and through the Spirit, yes, but can't you pre-feel the Spirit for help?--Especially if it'll save some anxiety.

 

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5 Comments:

  1. Matthew Glenn said...
    April 13, 2009 11:15 PM  
    I don't necessarily see a problem with this, as long as you don't repeat the same prayer. It would then become a vain repetition, like when Christ talks about avoiding vain repetitions in the New Testament that's what he's talking about. Saying the same thing over and over with out any thought or variation. If it's an anxiety type of thing, I would just ask to give a closing prayer so I could have time to ponder and write it out. I never have had to write a prayer out, but I'm not against it as long as it comes from the heart and isn't repeated. I had to give the opening prayer in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago and about fainted, but I made it through it.
    Nicole said...
    April 14, 2009 6:12 AM  
    I know that the Lord understands our fears and anxieties, unfortunately a congregation may not. I agree with Matt - if you thoughtfully prepare a prayer each time, avoiding the vain repetitions, you will be blessed commensurate with any other praying person. I feel blessed that I haven't ever had a fear of praying or bearing my testimony in public, but I am scared stiff about teaching lessons. I was the Gospel Doctrine instructor in my ward at 23 and I felt so inadequate. I would be shaking in tears in front of the class, frozen about what to say. But after my sobbing-wreck lessons, so many people came up to me after to say that they felt the spirit. The Lord will bless us on the intents of our heart.
    Anonymous said...
    April 14, 2009 9:09 AM  
    I was so excited the first time I attended general conference that I kept my eyes open during the opening prayer, just to watch President Kimball. Then Marion G. Romney started waving during the prayer and Arthur Haycock yanked down his arm like he was a naughty sunbeam.
    Natalie said...
    April 20, 2009 10:57 PM  
    I am absolutely TERRIFIED to pray in sacrament meeting. I've told my husband to say no if we are asked. I have done it in Sunday School -- but I just won't do it...it's scary!

    My Young Women found this out once and walked right up to the bishop and volunteered me. I've been so scared since that we haven't been on time to church. Why does fear leave us sometime after we are 12?
    Janet said...
    May 2, 2009 12:07 AM  
    Praying at church is really hard. It seems like people have this set expectation of what the prayer should sound like, and I don't necessarily want to sound that way. When I pray, I like to be myself and the whole nervousness that public prayer gives me takes away that ability. It makes me feel fake, so I always dread when they call on me.

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