Prayer Outloud

I was never raised in a home with prayer. The exceptions were at holiday meals and bedtime when I was very young. So it's no surprise that I find myself lacking in the prayer department when I am at church, especially when I am with my fellow Stephen Ministers. There is always this uncomfortable moment where I find myself holding my breath, before I begin to pray out loud, hoping Divine inspiration will wash over me and I will find the words to express the depth with which I have embraced my faith in God and be able to express it with eloquence. I fall short- each and every time and only recently am comfortable with my limitations. When I let out that long held breath and speak, no one laughs, or critiques, or comments on my word choice. So why should I? Prayer is the most honest dialogue I've ever had and imperfect as my prayers may be, I think I'm okay with that. I think God is too.