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What does the Bible say about praying out loud?

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The Bible permits and often commends praying out loud, while warning against using public prayer to gain human praise or to speak empty words. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:5-6 that prayer should be directed sincerely to the Father, whether in private or before others. In gathered worship, audible prayer should build up the church; 1 Corinthians 14:16 stresses that others should be able to understand and say amen. Scripture also records vocal, earnest prayer, as in Psalm 142:1 and James 5:13. Yet Romans 8:26 comforts believers that the Spirit helps even when words fail. Faith, forgiveness, humility, and dependence on God matter more than volume or eloquence.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 6:5-6

    [5] "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:16

    Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you say?

  • Romans 8:26

    In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.

  • Mark 11:22-25

    [22] Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. [23] For most assuredly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and doesn't doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. [24] Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. [25] Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.

  • Matthew 6:5

    "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:14

    For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

  • Mark 1:35

    Early in the night, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.

  • James 5:13

    Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises.

  • Psalms 142:1

    > I cry with my voice to Yahweh. With my voice, I ask Yahweh for mercy.

  • Luke 18:1

    He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,

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