Why Most Christians Say Prayer Is Powerful - But Rarely Pray Out Loud (And How to Change That Today)

You may have heard someone say that the most powerful weapon in the Christian arsenal is prayer. Yet, sadly in my experience, it's the most seldom used!

When I am with a group of people, and it's time to pray before we eat, they often look at me because I'm the pastor and they expect me to pray the blessing over the food. But often I will look around the room for the new Christian or a younger Christian and invite them to pray instead. I often get told something like, “I'm not comfortable,” or “I don't know how.” I tell them that it is fine and to try anyway, and I tell them that I will help them through it if needed. Most times, once they start, they don't need my help.

I don't do this to embarrass them or make them uncomfortable, but to encourage them. There will come a time, my friend, when someone desperately needs prayer, and you may be the only one there to do it. How can we show Christ to a lost world if we can't pray for them out loud?

In this life you'll find yourself around hurting people, sick people, lost people, and even people who want to know Jesus as Lord. Should we stop our ministry short because we can't pray? By no means! Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

My mother once told me that she did not know how to pray, that it was too hard. So, I asked her, “If we're eating dinner and you want the salt, what would you say?” She replied, “I would say, ‘Please pass the salt.’” To which I said, “See, you do know how to pray! It really is that simple. Just talk to God as you would anyone else!”

You don't have to be eloquent in speech to pray, or in a particular fashion or a prescribed posture; just talk to God as your Father knowing that He loves you and that He's listening. It really is as simple as saying, “Please pass the salt!”

I often point to Peter's prayer in Matthew 14:30, where after walking on the water towards Jesus, he begins to sink at the sight of the wind and the waves. He didn't launch into a theological dissertation or start speaking in eloquent religious phrases—he just cried out “Lord save me!” and Jesus heard him and saved him. I guarantee Peter meant every single word of that prayer! 

That's true prayer my friends, that's all we need!