Is There a Better Way to Pray?

When we are in our “closet of prayer” (i.e. praying in solitude), should we pray out loud, with a whisper, or completely silently? Is there a better way to pray?

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

But the ever-increasing number of distractions around us is one of the greatest challenges to effective prayer. (Indeed, to praying at all!)

By nature, I am a multi-tasker – mentally, if not practically! Lol! So, I am pretty much able to process different issues almost simultaneously in what may be called a “multiplexing” manner.

I learned the word “multiplexing” from my knowledge of Hammond Organ Company’s evolving technology. An organ (at least a home model) has three different keyboards, aka manuals – an upper manual (swell), a lower manual (great), and a pedal manual (bass).

When Hammond started to manufacture their electronic organs, they used three different tone generators, one for each manual.

But as time went on and technology advanced, in order to save material resources, labor time, (and money, of course!), they switched to “multiplexing tone generators.”

This meant that instead of three separate tone generators – one for each manual – they could get away with using just one for all three manuals. This was accomplished by that one single generator’s amazing ability to scan and produce a tone for each manual at such lightning speed that the human ear supposedly could not detect the “gaps” in the tones as the generator was switching (multiplexing) from keyboard to keyboard.

But some of us veteran Hammond organists with conditioned ears to the older Hammonds could hear the difference! The sound of the newer multiplexing organs was “a little bit thinner,” as we described it.

The sound was “thinner.” Still pretty beautiful, but not quite as full and rich!

Now, over the past few years, the world system has forced us into the need for “multiplexing our attention” more than ever before, far more than we are capable of being comfortable with. When I ask young people, who should be filled with vim and vigor at their age, “How’re ya doing?” they often respond, “I’m tired.” (And now they tell us not to worry about it so much, as in the future, the system will do the thinking for us!)

So, how about when we multiplex when engaging in prayer? Could this is causing us to perceive the full and rich voice of God as “a little bit thinner?”

I am a bonafide multiplexer. That means nonspiritual issues can easily distract me. So, a few years ago, I came up with the idea that, “If I pray out loud, I can drown out the other pressing issues that come into my mind while I’m praying.”

This strategy seemed to work just fine – that is, for a while.

Then I began to notice something: My out-loud praying learned how to go into autopilot. So, while I was praying “like a house on fire” with my lips, my mind was able to go on consciously planning the day’s events! And now I realize that as a result of this strategy, the “still, small voice of God” became “thinner” at best, and completely drowned out by the sound of my own voice.

Not that it’s wrong to pray out loud sometimes. But I’ve come to the conclusion that praying out loud when in solitude is not the best way to pray.

Praying silently – or at least in a gentle whisper – forces us to shut out many of the mental distractions. Why? I cannot explain it fully, but I would surmise that it’s because the prayer is happening 100% internally. In silent, contemplative prayer, I must bring my internal thought processes to a focal point.

That focal point must be on God Himself, seated upon the throne of Glory. I must picture myself humbly kneeling before His throne of mercy and grace – a privilege that He has afforded us by the saving act of Jesus, who has forgiven all our sins for the asking, and by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.

Yes, there is definitely a better way to pray. But please remember that coming to this conclusion was a process for me. So, whether you are at that point or not, no matter how you choose to pray, (out loud, with a whisper, or silently), just spend time with the blessed Trinity in prayer!

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

“Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:7-13

My father used to say, “People need three things to have a balanced, healthy life: worship, work, and recreation.” Prayer is an essential part of the balance of life. We encourage you to seek that balance in your life each day. Open Door Center is a balanced church!

PS: I know that this post was a little longer than usual, so thank you for taking the time to read to the end of it!