Praying in Public, or Rather, When No One Prays in Public

Anyone who has attended church for a few years will recognize this scenario: You're part of a small group and the leader says, "How about two or three of you pray as you feel led, then I'll close." Then no one prays, and still no one prays, and the longer this goes on, the more the tension grows and the more awkward the experience. It happens regularly. Something like 77% of Americans say they are afraid to speak in public, and public prayer is one example of this. But why should we pray in public? What value is there in doing so? How can this fear or reluctance be overcome? Not praying in public is not a mortal sin but learning to pray when you have the opportunity is one blessing of the Christian faith. Ask God to help you learn to pray privately, then publicly. For more Christian commentary, see my website at www.rexmrogers.com, or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers for more podcasts and video. #prayer #publicprayer #prayerinScripture

Transcript

Have you ever prayed in public or ducked low to avoid being asked to pray in public?

Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #198 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.

Those who’ve attended church and church gatherings most of their lives will recognize this common experience: sitting in a small group about to pray, the facilitator says, “We’ll ask a few people to pray as they feel led, and I will close.”  Then, silence, as no one prays. 

The silence can be painfully long.

Adults, longtime believers, populate the group; still, no one prays. Maybe the group is in part comprised of leaders in the church, yet no one prays. People begin to squirm, cringing in their seats. Maybe someone peeks, thinking, somebody, please, please pray and deliver us from this dreadfully awkward tension? Still, no one prays. Discomfort continues to grow as everyone waits for someone else to lead the prayer.

Have you experienced this socially unpleasant situation? Are you the person who perhaps is reluctant to pray in public?

Are you afraid to pray in public? Are you embarrassed at praying out loud?

The Scripture provides us with a few examples of individuals who were reluctant to speak and at times to pray publicly. In Exodus, when God called Moses through the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was hesitant and expressed self-doubt. He even doubted his ability to lead and speak to Pharaoh, saying, "I am not eloquent" (Exodus 4:10). While Moses did not refuse to pray, his reluctance to lead in public can be seen as an indirect hesitation to take on a public role of intercession or prayer.

Gideon is another example of a man who hesitated to pursue the opportunities God presented him. When God called him to save Israel from the Midianites, he expressed fear and insecurity. In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon asked God for signs, even laying out a fleece to test God's will. While Gideon’s reluctance was more about taking action, it also reflects a hesitance to openly engage in God's work in a public, bold way. 

Though Elijah was bold in his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, his prayers were sometimes expressed privately and with humility. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah fled into the wilderness after Jezebel threatened his life. He prayed privately, saying, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” He did not pray in front of others in this moment of despair. His reluctance to pray in public here reflects a vulnerability and a retreat from public engagement in prayer.

Each of these men were later used mightily by the Lord, but their public service began with reluctance, hesitation, anxiety, maybe even fear. Yet God enabled them to overcome their own sense of personal shortcomings. 

So, then what about those who may be reluctant or afraid to pray publicly? This is far more common that you might think. People are often reluctant to pray publicly for a variety of personal, social, and spiritual reasons. Public prayer can feel intimidating because it involves openly expressing one's faith, thoughts, and emotions in front of others. 

In fact, it is related to peoples’ general fear of speaking in front of groups, something clinically termed Glossophobia, “the fear of public speaking.” No similar term has thus far been developed for “the fear of public praying.” About 77% of adults in the U.S. experience “glossophobia” — the fear of public speaking. It's one of the most common social fears. What’s called “stage fright” is a similar social fear.

But why are people afraid? People fear judgment or criticism, maybe saying the “wrong” think or not being eloquent enough. Some people apparently feel inadequate, believing their prayers are not as “good” or worthy as those with more experience. Some think of Jesus’ reminder and fear they might inadvertently come across as showy and hypocritical. Others are perhaps spiritually insecure, doubting their own relationship with God and whether their prayers are effective. Still others simply yield to social anxiety, general discomfort with speaking in front of a group, fearing they will make a mistake or stumble over words.

Meanwhile, the Bible records several examples of public prayer:

1.    Solomon's Prayer at Temple Dedication, 1 K 8:22-53; 2 Chron 6:12-42

2.    Elijah on Mount Carmel, 1 K 18:36-39

3.    Jehoshaphat's Prayer for Deliverance, 2 Chron 20:5-12

4.    Ezra's Prayer of Confession, Ezra 9:5-15

5.    Nehemiah's Prayer of Confession and Petition, Neh. 9:1-38

6.    Daniel's Prayer for the Nation, Dan 9:3-19 

7.    Jesus' Prayer before Raising Lazarus, Jn 11:41-42

8.    Early Church Praying Together, Acts 4:24-31 

Now what lessons can we learn from these biblical examples of public prayer?

1.    Motive Matters: Prayer should seek God's presence and glory, not public admiration.

2.    Humility is essential: Self-righteousness, judgmental attitudes, self-promotion, boasting corrupt purpose of prayer, whereas repentance is always appropriate.

3.    Sincerity is valued more than Show: Genuine connection with and devotion to God, worship prioritized over performance or manipulation. 

4.    We learn we must avoid hypocrisy or formulaic, thoughtless repetition.

5.    We note that we must never pray publicly in a manner that pressures others or that uses public prayer to push an agenda or manipulate others. 

Public prayer reinforces the Christian Church. Public corporate prayer unites believers in communal faith and supplication, Acts 2:42. Intercessory Prayer, when believers pray together for others, reflects biblical teachings on bearing one another’s burdens, James 5:16. Praying publicly, e.g., meals, before an event, can be a way to encourage fellow believers and acknowledge dependence on God, 1 Thess 5:16-18.

So, after all this, what if you are still reluctant, hesitant, or afraid to pray publicly?

Well, you could consider these remedies:

1.    Focus on God, not people: remember that prayer is communication with God, not a performance for others.

2.    Pray from the heart: authentic, simple prayers are valued by God more than eloquent words, Matt 6:7-8.

3.    Look for community support: participating in group prayer with trusted friends or mentors can build confidence. 

4.    Practice in private, which strengthens confidence in public prayer.  

Everyone gets better with practice. And I confess that it helps to have role models. That’s where the community support comes in.

My wife and I were blessed with Christian parents who were active in the local church. I can remember my father and grandfather praying publicly on many occasions. My wife’s mother was active in local garden clubs, often speaking and presenting, and then my wife and her three older sisters grew up learning, planning, and presenting in Bible clubs and other church activities. They were all speaking and praying up front from the time they were kids.

I began taking my turn up front as a teenager, encouraged by a mother who said, that I should step up, and a father who was a deacon, SS teacher, and every other role, speaking regularly to small groups at church – this from a man who grew up a farmer, became a factory worker and a barber, then served the Lord in every capacity when the church doors opened.

My Dad cut his teeth on the King James Version of the Bible, so when he prayed, he used lots of “thees” and “thous.” His son—me—liked to tease him about this, but he was sincere, spoke to the Lord not me, and prayed fervently.

You don’t have to use the “King’s English,” as in the King James language. Nor do you have to be long-winded. Abraham Lincoln’s “The Gettysburg Address” contained 272 words and took about 2 minutes to deliver, yet it is regarded as one of the greatest speeches in American history. God isn’t awarding points for eloquence or hot air. 

Just pray. Pray in private first. Tell God your desire to grow more confident in praying publicly—to honor him not to self-promote—and ask the Lord to help you learn how to pray. 

We need more men and women who pray, who lead, who serve, who live out their faith as unto the Lord in the presence of the younger generation.

Well, we’ll see you again soon. This podcast is about Discerning What Is Best. If you find this thought-provoking and helpful, follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Download an episode for your friends. For more Christian commentary, check my website, r-e-x-m as in Martin, that’s rexmrogers.com. Or check my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers for more podcasts and video.

And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.

© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2025   

*This podcast blog may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact me or read more commentary on current issues and events at www.rexmrogers.com/ or my YouTube channel @DrRexRogers, or connect with me at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers or https://x.com/RexMRogers.