Let’s be honest: have you ever heard someone else pray in public and wished you could sound as eloquent? We all know that one person who seems to know just the right words to say and can go on and on, speaking to God. It can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

Many of us don’t feel comfortable praying in public, be it in front of our church or with a group of people. We get anxious because we don’t know what to say or how to say it. Leading public prayer is an essential part of being a worship leader, and you can learn how to do it with confidence.

So, what’s the secret? Make the prayer authentic and heartfelt. Speak to God like you would a friend – without worrying about perfection or getting it exactly right. Doing this will help your confidence in leading public prayer to soar!

Here are a few more tips to help you pray more confidently while leading worship:

1. Spend time connecting with God before you lead. Make sure you have a healthy prayer life. Spend time in prayer every day, getting to know God and developing your relationship with Him. Your public prayers will flow from your private worship.

2. Pray with boldness and authority. Hebrews 4:16 instructs us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

3. Be brief and to the point. Praying too long can be distracting and cause people to lose focus. Aim to keep your prayers brief and focused.

4. Plan ahead. What is the theme of the service? Special seasons or holidays? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you craft a prayer that is meaningful and relevant (and help you achieve #3!)

5. Pray for specific needs. Praying for specific needs of the congregation or for current events can be a great way to engage with the congregation and help them feel connected to the prayer.

Leading public prayer doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a little practice and preparation, you can become confident in leading prayer in public. Speak with confidence, plan ahead, and keep your prayers meaningful, brief, and relevant.

Worshipscores offers prayers to get you started! Use them as is or as a guide to help you put them in your own words. Listen to prayers.