Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they actually do it. Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you do, and fix it along the way… (Paul Arden)

One of the scariest things many of us are ever asked to do in public is to…

PRAY.

Why is the very thought of leading a group in a prayer so dreadfully daunting?  Are we fearful of friends finding fault?  Or afraid of approaching an awesome God and being appraised as inadequate?

Perhaps a primer on prayer, what it is and what it is not, is appropriate.

I asked my sixth grade girls in youth group to help me brainstorm just what prayer is to them.  Their thoughts were:

Prayer is…

Amazing   Talking to God   Something you should not be ashamed of   Hopeful   Not complicated   Short or long    Inspiring   Listening   Whenever and wherever   Reading the Bible   Gratefulness   Being honest to yourself   Beautiful   Mine   Worship   Realizing there is a higher authority   Important   Helpful   Conversation   Healthy   A lifestyle   Worldwide   Love   Time with God   Talking to the Creator of the universe   Not fearful   Something you can do on your own time   Self-less   Forgiveness   Unique   Saying “Thank You”   Not all about you   Relationship   Something that can change your life   Something that should be repeated   Main priority!

Still, the social aspect of praying in public is intimidating.

So I suggest you practice in private.  Even if you are never called upon to call upon God in community, we are called to commune with him.

Practice may not make perfect, but practice does make prayer more powerful.

To assist in making prayer a potent priority in your life, I have created an acrostic to help cultivate your communication with the Creator.

If you would like to receive a .pdf of this acrostic and accompanying scripture notes, please contact me.