Praying Aloud

I have known some people who seem to know the exact words to say aloud in prayer. The words just seem to come to them. A good preacher, priest, or other clergy has that ability. I am embarrassed at times because I cannot pray the same way they do although I whole-heartedly appreciate the way they speak to God. When I try to pray aloud, I’m awkward and unsure.

Does that make me less than them? I don’t think so - only different. I do admire them and that is well and good. We need a variety of people in this world. We need a variety of ways to pray.

I used to shy away and try to back out whenever someone offered to pray out loud with me or with someone nearby. I was uncomfortable and afraid that they would expect me to pray out loud, too. Little by little, I’ve overcome that fear.

That doesn’t mean that I now pray aloud, too. It just means I’ve accepted that some people are blessed with that ability and I am blessed with the ability to accept the pleasure of hearing them.

Thank you, Lord, for our differences and thank you for helping me to embrace those differences