Some religions require their adherents to worship in a set manner—at certain times of day, in a certain fashion, even certain words. Likewise, some religions (Islam, for example) may require that certain prayers be given verbally—that is, the prayer must be said aloud. For many of us, day-to-day life is not filled with such prayers. One may pray often, and one may do so in a variety of fashions—kneeling at the bedside, closing the eyes, etc.—but I suspect many of these prayers are offered in silence.
I don’t know the reasons behind it, but I have taken a liking to saying prayers “out loud,” even when I am not praying as part of a group. Ironically, I find this sometimes helps me to pour my heart out more fully. This seems counterintuitive, but I have had such feelings on not just a few occasions. It seems there is something to this.
I am curious if anyone else has experienced something similar. Or, does anyone have any proposed insight as to why this may be the case? I would never give up my silent prayers, for I feel there is a certain quality to them that I sometimes desire in particular. But verbal prayers have taken a special place in my heart. Any thoughts?
About Me
- Benjamin
- Ben was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent a good chunk of his adult life pursuing academic philosophy, which took him as far as Tallahassee, Florida, where he spent six years working toward a Ph.D. he eventually realized he didn’t even want. Moving back to Utah with his wife and three sons, Ben has continued his pursuit of self-awareness and self-actualization—with decidedly mixed results. It’s an ongoing process, and sometimes a surprisingly difficult one. But as he clears the clutter from his life (e.g. religion) and more earnestly embraces his passions (e.g. musicianship), Ben finds his life becoming more and more perfect. Of course, this doesn’t stop Ben—now in his forties—from asking himself on a regular basis: “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
4 comments:
Josh, I find your opinion on the devil rather unique and refreshing. I bet a lot of people would think that, by praying out loud, we are alerting the devil to our needs and weakenesses, thereby enabling him to work against us more fully. You've certainly turned that notion on its head. Interesting!
Makes sense. I've never really thought of praying out loud by myself, but I find that my mind wanders when I do it silently for more than a minute or so. My solution has often been to actually write the prayer. Works well for me.
I have found in the past that an out loud prayer makes me more honest. It's like you really have to be sincere to say the words out loud- otherwise, you could "just be thinking" it.
Sometimes I can think a thought for a long time, but when I actually have to express it to someone, that's when I know what I really think or feel about it. And that has been true in prayer as well. I find it humbling.
I've also had the thought that if I say it out loud, the devil will know and try to thwart me. I like what Josh said too. But I will say, that some things are best left in the heart- now I have to ask, even when talking to God?
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I think it creates focus. Now I gotta go because my son won't let me type more until we watch the We Are Scientists video with the bear....
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