bethf1975
September 20th, 2007, 09:15 AM
I have been a Christian for about 5 years now and my prayers have either been 'me' oriented or I am babbling and I lose focus. Whenever I have been in a group setting and the leader is looking for someone to close in prayer, all I can think (and pray) to myself is "Don't pick me, please, don't pick me!" If I do pray outloud in a group, my heart is beating wildly, my mouth goes dry and I stumble over my words. I realize that I am not there to impress anyone but I walk away feeling awkward with my short-comings in this area of my life.
Recently, I have been journaling my prayers and I feel more focused and to the point. I have also seen God do some awesome things in my life and with my prayers that I don't think I ever noticed before. I have really felt the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life through the past few months off journaling and turning my life more and more over to Him.
The problem / question? I really felt the Lord calling on me to start a First Place group where I live (there aren't any others around for at least 60 miles). Our first meeting was last week and being that I am the leader, there is the expectation of me being able to pray outloud and in such a way that I would be leading by example. However, refer to paragraph one and you can only guess how the first meeting went. It is a small group of 5 (including me) and I know everyone in it. While I am on this growing curve, would it be out of line if I read a prayer that I wrote, prior to the meeting for that day? Does that just sound ridiculous or am I being practical until I overcome this silly fear of speaking / praying in front of everyone?
Sorry so long but I appreciate any feedback anyone can give me.
:confused:Beth:confused:
Recently, I have been journaling my prayers and I feel more focused and to the point. I have also seen God do some awesome things in my life and with my prayers that I don't think I ever noticed before. I have really felt the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life through the past few months off journaling and turning my life more and more over to Him.
The problem / question? I really felt the Lord calling on me to start a First Place group where I live (there aren't any others around for at least 60 miles). Our first meeting was last week and being that I am the leader, there is the expectation of me being able to pray outloud and in such a way that I would be leading by example. However, refer to paragraph one and you can only guess how the first meeting went. It is a small group of 5 (including me) and I know everyone in it. While I am on this growing curve, would it be out of line if I read a prayer that I wrote, prior to the meeting for that day? Does that just sound ridiculous or am I being practical until I overcome this silly fear of speaking / praying in front of everyone?
Sorry so long but I appreciate any feedback anyone can give me.
:confused:Beth:confused: