Loudness In Churches.

[Angel48]

Originally Posted by Jay

I have been in prayer rooms where the people pray loudly, and I have no problem with it (the Bible does use terms such as lift up your voice, cry aloud, shout), but if all they are doing is screaming, "JESUS," at the top of their lungs for half an hour, then they need to study prayer and learn that a single word most times does not a single prayer make, no matter how oft repeated.

That is what I mean. "HALLELUJAH" a thousand times is nothing but noise.
And if you're furiously pacing the sanctuary, your thoughts can not be on prayer. They are on avoiding a head on collision. These are the aspects that do not ring true to me. I want to believe in God- but why do so many people feel the need to "fake" it?

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Angel48

That is what I mean. "HALLELUJAH" a thousand times is nothing but noise.
And if you're furiously pacing the sanctuary, your thoughts can not be on prayer. They are on avoiding a head on collision. These are the aspects that do not ring true to me. I want to believe in God- but why do so many people feel the need to "fake" it?

Hey! Watch it about the walking.

I do know what you mean, I sometimes pray best if I walk, and when I get with it, I can walk quickly. However, I also try to keep my mind on God, and surprisingly, as long as there are not too many other walkers, you can actually pray unhindered. I do not try this in large groups over much, or I stick to a small area, it helps with collisions (small children in unattended can still become a traffic hazard).

As for the way other people are praying, do not let their praying (or lack of it) distract you from your praying, and if you are noticing them, you need to redirect your focus (no criticism from me as I have to tell myself that if I am not careful, it takes time and prayer to tune others out). What you can do is learn from them, and people who you know are truly praying. I determined very early that I did not want to be a 3 word wonder saying, "Jesus, Hallelujah, Glory," constantly. I instead attempted to pray like my father or my favorite Sunday School teacher, or the pastor's mother (she can pray). I eventually found my own way, and pray with as much power and passion as I can.

[Angel48]

Originally Posted by Jay

Hey! Watch it about the walking.

I do know what you mean, I sometimes pray best if I walk, and when I get with it, I can walk quickly. However, I also try to keep my mind on God, and surprisingly, as long as there are not too many other walkers, you can actually pray unhindered. I do not try this in large groups over much, or I stick to a small area, it helps with collisions (small children in unattended can still become a traffic hazard).

As for the way other people are praying, do not let their praying (or lack of it) distract you from your praying, and if you are noticing them, you need to redirect your focus (no criticism from me as I have to tell myself that if I am not careful, it takes time and prayer to tune others out). What you can do is learn from them, and people who you know are truly praying. I determined very early that I did not want to be a 3 word wonder saying, "Jesus, Hallelujah, Glory," constantly. I instead attempted to pray like my father or my favorite Sunday School teacher, or the pastor's mother (she can pray). I eventually found my own way, and pray with as much power and passion as I can.

I know, it's all a matter of what you get used to walk away, just don't run over anyone just arriving LOL

I like to go to the church in the daytime- like I did today- and be totally alone to pray. It's the only time I've ever been able to connect.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Angel48

I know, it's all a matter of what you get used to walk away, just don't run over anyone just arriving LOL

I like to go to the church in the daytime- like I did today- and be totally alone to pray. It's the only time I've ever been able to connect.

I like to be totally alone as well AND I'm a walker -or the correct term is probably pacer. I'm a lot like Rob Petri as he paced in their office while writing the script for that weeks episode of the Allan Brady show.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Angel48

I know, it's all a matter of what you get used to walk away, just don't run over anyone just arriving LOL

I like to go to the church in the daytime- like I did today- and be totally alone to pray. It's the only time I've ever been able to connect.

I promise that I will not demolish anybody coming into church. I pray at the back of the sanctuary, and that is where everyone comes in. I generally hear the door open, and can time myself to not hit anyone (my security training comes in very handy to do things like that without being distracted from my main objective).


It all depends on your definitions of 'loud' I suppose. I know that there are people that if you pray above a whisper, you are entirely to 'loud'.