Afraid to Pray

Afraid to Pray

This Victory Call I'm posing a question for your serious, honest consideration. This question is just that -a question. In no way, shape or form do I condemn or judge anyone (including myself) who may struggle in this area. This is a journey we're all traveling, and the road is leading us HOME. I inquire (or challenge, if you will) because I believe we must consider prayer of monumental importance as we pursue growth in our relationship with the Lord and with each other.

Are you afraid to pray?

Over the years, I've had many, many opportunities to pray. And yet, I can't say that I've been willing to pray in all those moments. There are, a variety of reasons, with the foremost being fear -fear of this or fear of that. Y'all know the drill. We've heard this one or that one pray and they sound so wonderful...or we tell ourselves we simply aren't ready...or we convince ourselves that we don't have to, because God is gracious and He will understand.

I have run the gamut of experiences and opportunities and I don't like the feeling that I've ever allowed fear -fear of the sound of my voice or what others would think- to keep me from speaking out loud to God. What lie have I told myself and then believed? What lie from the enemy have I entertained and allowed to hinder or stifle my prayer life?

God loved us so much He sent His Son unto the Cross! How am I able to resist turning my face toward Him; to share my heart and pursue Him with praise and thanksgiving (especially in front of other saints)?

From the beginning, we have been pursued from Heaven by the Lord of all creation! What an amazing thing. My mind always struggles with how wide, long, high and deep is the love of Christ. Whenever I dwell on it I want to fall on my face and worship; I want to cry out; I want to pray!

Today it's that love which leads me to write to you and ask the question, "Are you afraid to pray? When you are at church, Bible study and the opportunity presents itself, do you find yourself unwilling or unable to pray? Does fear grip you?

We need to ask ourselves why? Why does opening our mouth and speaking to the God of our salvation in an audible voice, frighten us? Why does praying out loud in the context of a small group of sisters and brothers in Christ, seem to present such a challenge or fill us with dread?
Let me encourage you/us with the Truth found in 2 Timothy 1:7 from the Holmes Christian Standard Bible Biblegateway.com.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."
Tomorrow, we'll continue with the question "Are you afraid to pray?"

Stephanie