Greetings People!馃檶
You've seen where an adult is called to lead a prayer in public, and he or she begins to stammer? And it becomes worse when a microphone is used.
There's always a first time to things like this and the only people I know who are lucky enough to easily pass this test are the peeps who were brought up in an English way...in Nigeria, they fall in the category of those that live in the city and being trained with silver spoon in the mouths(ajebo)
My first time leading prayer in public
I wasn't going to church because I, my dad, and my friends don't fancy it for many reasons, but this came to a stop when a new church in my neighborhood did outreach and arrested me and my friends.
I don't know how they did it, but we just found ourselves agreeing to their "come to our church next Sunday." We believed they added a 'talk and convince potion' to their mouths before talking to us.
That's how we joined this church and became serious members. Imagine, I & my friends that were not a fan of church before, began to attend midweek services. Omo! The voodoo was a strong one.
One of the midweek services, I got there on time (before the kickoff) as my custom was, and it was just the pastor and some children that were around.
I sat at my corner, counting the ticksof clock and patiently waiting for them (the pastor and his team) to kick off service. Then I saw Pastor walk up to me,
"Bro. Kingsley, you're going to take the opening payers today," he said as he got to my seat.
To be honest, I thought Maybe there was another Kingsley around that he was referring to, I looked around but saw no one.
"Sir, do you mean me?" I asked him, point my hands to my direction to confirm if he's talking to me.
"Yes, it's you.The people that used to do that are not around, and it's almost time. Also, it's an opportunity for you to learn," he added.
Hearing how serious he was with the way he sounded. I felt like maybe I was in a dream. I wished to wake up, but no way, it was a broad daytime reality.
"How can I do this prayer in the midst of this crowd with this beggarly English?" This thought ran through my mind in a flash, and I refused to take up the assignment.
"Isn't it better to prevent than to sacrifice? It's better I save myself from the embarrassment now than to heal the shame afterwards." I concluded within me.
"Please, I can't do it, don't be offended. It's not something I can do," I said to him with my face bent down, shy to look at his face... because I was grown up and I can't pray in public馃槶.
He began to say a lot of things like "it's simple, you can do it, bla bla bla," and I was deaf to all his preachings; I had planned to leave the church if he persisted.
Then suddenly, one of his teammates walked in, and I became so happy that God had sent an angel to bail me out. I checked the time and it was 4:58 p.m. already, and church was to start by 5:00 p.m. So I was very sure that when it hits 5:00 p.m., the deacon (one of his team) would get up to do justice to the prayers. But this pastor adamantly refused; he insisted that I take it.
Guys, I felt the pastor was my "village people" that was sent to frustrate my life.
There was no option, and time was already 5:00 p.m., so I took my Bible and mounted the podium.
"Praise the Lord!"
I began to say a lot of jagajaga words; I was brushing and heating English mercilessly.
I was pouring out all the crammed Scriptures on my head; whether they tallied or not, I was not interested in knowing. I was sure that the prayer didn't get to heaven.
It's a day I won't forget in my life.
You know the interesting thing? That day was actually my first step of pulling away from stage fright.
I'm not boasting... I've been greatly privileged in my life. I've mounted the podium to preach to a large crowd.
I know there are some people here reading this who will still run away when handed a microphone to pray in public. If you like, lie馃コ.
Thanks for reading.