Pray Anyway!

Posted by: Jenny Baker, Content Writer & Communications Coordinator | Monday, June 15th, 2026 ( 8:50am)

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.—Psalm 62:8

I remember the first time I prayed in front of a group of other people.

At that point in my life, my relationship with Christ was relatively new. Only a year or two earlier I was openly resistant to religion. Now, here I was in a small group gathering with the leader asking us to take turns saying a prayer for someone out loud.

I was terrified.

It wasn’t that I had never prayed before. In fact, having grown up in a Christian family I had learned about prayer from an early age. Even in adulthood, long after stepping away from my childhood faith, I still found myself praying to someone…even if at the time I didn’t consider that someone Jesus.

But pray out loud? Like in front of people? No thanks!

Except in that moment, I was in a position where I knew I would look out of place if I didn’t pray when everyone else so easily did so. But what if I do it wrong? What if I can't find the right words? What if people think the way I pray to God is too casual or sounds silly?

When my turn finally came, even though my mind was screaming in panic, I prayed anyway—heart pounding, hands sweating, every sentence tripping over a mess of “ums,” “ers,” and “uhs.”

And when I was through, a silent thought crept in and whispered…who cares?

Because I’m one hundred percent certain God doesn’t.

Whether we're on our knees with eyes closed and hands folded, or standing at the sink doing dishes, what means most to God is that we are talking with Him in the first place. As a mom, when one of my teenagers wants to talk to me, I’m thrilled that they consider me a safe place to bring their joys and troubles to. And if they choose to do so when their friends are around, I’m truly touched that they're unashamed to let others see the closeness we share.

The love for my kids is but a small reflection of God’s love for us, so I imagine our heavenly father is even more moved than I am when we choose to talk to Him in front of others. Not because we do so with proper eloquence or formality, but simply because He delights in seeing that we aren’t hiding our relationship with Him, even when our prayers feel clumsy or imperfect.

Realizing that brings so much freedom!

That first time praying openly was a few years ago now. I will admit, even today when I pray out loud I still get a little flutter of anxiety in my stomach. I’m pretty sure the “ums” and “ers” will always be part of the conversation. But you know what? I pray anyway. At work. At home. Even with a perfect stranger if the time is right. Because I know I’m approaching God with a sincere heart for His grace and mercy, not because I’m seeking admiration from others. And who knows, if someone else hears me praying in my imperfect way, it may just give them the courage to pray out loud too. And that’s a chance at discipleship I don’t want to miss.

So, my fellow faithful fumblers, may you also find the confidence to pray just as you are, knowing God delights in every honest word. And when you notice fear trying to step in over what others might think, remember who you’re actually talking to and pray anyway!