Something that stood out to me today: Daniel 9:20 -
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin … yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel … reached me.”
The words that affect us the most are the words that come out of our own mouths. There is power in what we actually speak and say. Here Daniel is speaking his prayers and an Angel shows up. Gabriel for that matter! (Yes, I know that Daniel had more going on than praying out loud, but still there’s a point to be made.)
O.K. Now turn in your Bibles to Ephesians 5:18-21.
…be filled with the spirit (by) speaking to one another … singing … giving thanks always for all things…”
Instead of saying the majority of your prayers to God in your mind, try saying them out loud. Even if it’s under your breath. When you read the Bible, try reading it out loud.
The words that affect us the most are the words that come out of our own mouths.
Kurt said:
Amen. There is a connection between the mouth and the heart. There is something that happens when we speak out loud to God. Sometimes takes us hearing the words we speak to remind us of truth and it activates faith in our hearts. Good word Shawn.
Posted on August 2, 2007 at 12:05 pm
ruth said:
true. it is weird though huh? it’s like when you say things out loud you realize more what you just said…
Posted on August 2, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Jacquie said:
arrrrggg…I know this true and my hubby keeps bugging me to try it out, but it’s one of the hardest things for me to do. I don’t know why, but I feel silly praying out loud & I’ve always felt more comfortable praying internally. Yet I totally realize that there is something powerful about speaking out loud, I just feel so awkward doing it & am having a really difficult time trying to make a habit of it.
Posted on August 2, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Armen said:
Agreed Shawn. Reading out the scriptures is something I’ve begun to do fairly recently, and it definately helps in understanding, memorization, concentration, and even exhortation.
I’ve always prefered praying out loud anyway, and I find it also helps with staying focused, and often helps to increase fervency.
Good word!
Posted on August 2, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Andrew said:
Amen!
I can only speak for myself but when I pray silently or to myself…I guess in my mind, it seems that the interruptions are more. You know, those little thoughts that seem to come from nowhere and get you off to somewhere else, until you realize you’re now off on some wild tangent pray or conversation.
But…when praying aloud, those interruptions are not there, the same with reading out loud, I tend to stay more focused on what is read and the meaning behind it.
Posted on August 6, 2007 at 5:27 pm