Why Pray Out Loud?

A friend asked me recently why one should pray out loud? The question was specific to the Prayer of the Faithful. Why pray out loud, my friend asked, when G-d knows everything we want and are going to pray for? At first I was a little stumped; after all, I didn't want to give just a 'because it's good for you' answer, and it's not something that I've really thought about to a large extent. I decided to answer not just about the Prayer of the Faithful, but also about praying out loud generally.

We pray to G-d for two reasons. The first is internal and the second is external. Internally, while we might think we know what we want to pray for, we might not have a well thought-out articulation of it. There is a large difference between thinking something and articulating it. Praying out loud allows us to articulate what we are thinking, to bring it from the mental to the physical, from the background to the foreground. We mouth the words, we go so far as to actively cause the vibrations with our throat that forms the words.

It's simple to just think "Lord, help me through this trial." It's a little more complex to say "Lord, help me through this trial." Thoughts can be instantaneous, speaking words takes time and concentration. Not only do we have to form and say the words, but we are also thinking about them and hearing them as we pray. So praying out loud is good for us internally, because it helps us better understand what we are asking for, and it helps us concentrate on it as opposed to simply giving a brief thought to it.

There are two external benefits to it (though one of them really isn't a benefit as much as it is practical). The first external benefit is to the rest of the community. We are told in Galatians 6:2 to "bear ye one another's burdens; and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ." Sure God knows your prayers if you keep them to yourself, but I don't! And as a brother or as a sister in the family of G-d, I am called to (and I want to) share your burdens. I want to pray for you. The Prayer of the Faithful (which was what the original question was directed towards) does just that; it allows the rest of the community to know who and what to pray for, and to pray for each other. Being Christian isn't about just Christ and myself (as much as Protestants with their 'Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship' would like it to be. Sorry). Being Christian, and especially Catholic, is about being part of something much larger than yourself. We should be united in prayer, especially for each other. Praying to Saints is great, but make sure that you also include your brothers and sisters in the Church Militant!

The second external is more of a practical than an actual benefit. G-d loves us. He 'wants' (God doesn't want like we understand it) us to tell me our troubles and burdens. My fiancee knows perfectly well that I love her, but that doesn't mean that I stop saying it! I say I love you, both to remind and reassure myself and because it shows that, truly, I do. I took the time to say it, which means that I truly mean it. G-d knows our prayers, but that shouldn't stop us from saying it, in order to reassure and remind ourselves, and to show that we care enough about it to take the time out to say it. Christ performed miracles, but He often waited until asked to do so. This wasn't because He didn't know their desires, but in order to give us an example that we should follow- to ask aloud.

Now, I'm not hating on praying silently. There is a lot of benefit to it (including not disturbing those around you that might also be trying to pray). But, as are many things in the Catholic Faith, it's about finding a balance. A balance between praying quietly, and praying out loud (with others and/or through the Prayer of the Faithful). A balance between praying to the Saints and asking our brothers and sisters here to pray for us.