Praying Out Loud
Week 3 – Pray in Community
Learning to Pray Together
Prayer Practice: Praying Out Loud
Day 17, Tuesday, January 20
“Jesus said to them, ‘When you pray, say…’” —Luke 11:2
For many Christians, praying silently feels natural, while praying out loud feels foreign. Sometimes we assume that because faith is deeply personal, it must also be private. More often, though, the hesitation is simpler—we feel insecure. We worry we might be bad at it, say the wrong thing, or forget what to say altogether.
But Scripture regularly assumes that prayer has a voice. God’s people cry out, confess, ask, bless, and agree aloud. This isn’t about volume or performance. It’s about sharing faith with one another—and about not letting our comfort zone limit the growth God desires for us or the blessing He intends for others to experience through us.
How to Practice
Consider which of the steps below might be the best option for your walk with the Lord.
Crawl: Start small. No audience. No pressure.
Pray out loud during your next quiet time with God
Read a psalm or a written prayer out loud by yourself
Whisper a short prayer before going to sleep
Walk: Invite one or two others into the moment.
Read a written prayer out loud at a meal
Pray out loud with a spouse, family member, or close friend
Pray a short sentence prayer during a small group discussion
Offer a brief prayer at the beginning or end of a meeting
Run: Step into shared prayer with others.
Come to Pray First Friday and pray out loud, guiding the church’s prayers.
Ask someone, “Can I pray for you right now?” and do it
Lead a short prayer during a small group or Bible Study.
Gentle Reminder
God is not impressed by polished prayers. He’s after sincerity, not eloquence. Learning to pray out loud is not about finding the right words—it’s about growing into the faith the God has for us.
