On Saturday night, I was scrolling through Youtube and noticed a video with an interesting title; I couldn’t remember the exact title, but it was about how we shouldn’t pray out loud. 

Come again? Say what?

I didn’t watch the video but decided to see what people were saying in the comments (I sometimes do this to get an idea of what’s being discussed in a video). Many of the commenters were in agreement of this idea about not praying out loud to God so the enemy will not hear them and cause problems in their lives or hinder their prayers. One woman said that she told someone about a type of man she would like to meet; days later, a man who matched the characteristics she wanted tried to approach her, but she didn’t talk to him because the devil was trying to distract and confuse her. There was another person in the comment section who asked if it was okay to write prayers down; it sounded as if this “idea” to pray silently was causing people to fear the enemy. Someone else mentioned that Hannah from the bible prayed silently (her lips moved but no sound could be heard).

Years ago, I came across someone else who gave the same advice, and I decided to try it. However, I felt “stifled” when I didn’t pray out loud to God.

Something didn’t seem right about this “advice.” Where is it in the bible? I went to Matthew 6:5 (KJV) which talks about how we should not be like those who pray and make a huge production of it; they’re seeking the praise of man: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, They have their reward.”

Matthew 6:6-7 tells us how to pray: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (KJV). This verse is simply saying that we should go to a private place and pray; we should also not repeat ourselves excessively during our prayers. Why are “vain repetitions” unnecessary? Well, God hears our prayers whether they’re silent or out loud. We don’t need to pray long, fancy prayers in order for Him to hear us. Also, when would you be likely to make “vain repetitions”? You would do that when you’re praying out loud. Think of a person who makes a public speech (they’re not talking silently)—they may repeat certain points to make themselves look intelligent, articulate, or to avoid answering a particular question.

Now, I’m not demanding that you pray out loud when you spend time with God nor am I telling you to not pray for someone in public if the Holy Spirit leads you to. If I’m in a store and start feeling anxious, I will pray silently (i.e. “Lord give me strength to get in and out of this crowded store”). However, we need to be careful who we’re listening to on social media. If an “idea” sounds intriguing, then we should check the bible to see if a particular teaching/idea is actually in the Bible; we also need to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom. 

Here’s my view on the comments to the video:

• If Satan is going to cause problems in our lives, it’s because he has permission from God to do so (remember the story of Job?) or we have opened the door to give the enemy access to our lives via sin. The enemy hates those who follow Christ; therefore, he will do whatever he can to throw us off track by using confusion, distraction, planting seeds of doubt, and getting us to turn our backs on God. We shouldn’t fear him; we should fear God. 

• Hannah wasn’t praying silently so Satan wouldn’t hear her request; she was upset and brokenhearted at the insults from her husband’s second wife Penninah because Hannah wanted children but was unable to have them. 1 Samuel 1:10 (KJV) says that Hannah was in “bitterness of soul” and “wept sore.”  She poured her heart out to God and it’s possible that no words were heard as she prayed because she was overcome with emotion. Has there been times in your life when you’ve been overcome with grief, sadness, or any other emotion and no words were able to come out as you prayed to God? 

Be careful of those who twist scripture to try to make it fit with the “idea” that they’re trying to sell you.