Introversion vs Verbalizing praise

Greetings,

I'm strong introverted and unaccustomed to outwardly verbalizing prayer and praise. I tend to feel the Lord's presence in very peaceful, tranquil, blissful and dare I say autistic ways... not in a loud, bold, invigorating chorus of hallelujahs, appellations and exaltations.

Is there any guidance in the Bible on prayer and fellowship for those with a disposition toward introversion and receptivity? Is it OK to be this way, or is there some Biblical imperative to shift that introversion to extraversion in order to boldly preach and proclaim the word and glory of the Lord?

I welcome your thoughts, and in particular any scripture that you think would be of assistance.

Thank you.

Paul.

Interesting read here on this ------

Are Introverts Better Evangelists?

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/are-introverts-better-evangelists

Welcome to CC.

Years ago at the church I attended as a teen/young adult there was a deacon who was very quiet, and gentle. During worship service he wasn't out in front jumping up and down, making a lot of noise, but I would see him off to the sides, or in the back quietly. Sometimes (oftentimes) with hands lifted up, and a glow about him/ peaceful demeanor.

He would speak boldly to people, and yet still was calm and gentle while doing so.

It's been nearly 20 years since I've seen him, but I have come to realize that his gentle and quiet spirit spoke more into my life than anyone else from that church group.

(and even all these years later the memories of him continue to minister/witness to me)

Psalm 95:8- "sing to the Lord with a harp, with a harp & the voice of a psalm". there's another area in the Bible that says something like, "make a joyful noise to the Lord". i also do not raise hands or praise or sing loudly. it is not amust. people are different in many ways. it does not mean you associate wi Jesus less. after all, how can everyone be the same? i do not feel guilty because i'm not audible with praising.

hi, Paul, and welcome.

when we belong to the Lord, we can know He is all wise. He uses us in our very real personalities for His glory and our good, and the good of others. there may be folks who respond better to a certain way of interaction than another. we're all different, and God in His infinite wisdom knows this. indeed, it's He who made us so.
i ask the Lord to lead me to the prepared hearts... He has never failed me.

our boldness in sharing Christ with the world comes not from human nature, but from the message itself, and from faith in Almighty God that He knows what He's about.

grace to you, and peace

Matthew 6

1 “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen
by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 3 But when you
give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be
in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and
on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when
you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father,
who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they
will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.


Lord's Prayer

You could turn to these words from Christ and be quite comfortable: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Mt 6:6).

Also during public worship you can certainly join in singing hymns without any kind of demonstration. The Bible even says "making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19)

Listen;

Do not let some foolish cult preacher convince you that introversion is a defect.

"Boldness" does not require extraversion. It requires courage. I know plenty of extraverts that are cowards; and I would rather smell the raw sewage they produce than hear the words they excrete from their mouths.

I know that there are preachers that will try and say that introversion is "selfishness", or something like that, and they, understanding nothing, butcher the scriptures to support their foolish beliefs. Withdraw yourself from such.

IMO, I believe Christian’s should not use the terms “introvert” and
“extrovert” because they are terms of the World and psychology.

We all have our differences, personalities and nature, it’s alright though, we are not to be cookie cutter Christian’s, meaning all alike. Just worship God in spirit and truth in whatever fashion you’re comfortable with.

One thing not often seen or taught anymore is that not all Christians are meant to be the same. In fact quite the opposite seems to more frequently be the message (perhaps not purposefully, but it's still evident). The bible talks about the church as a body, and how each part of the body is meant to do something different.
As an introvert, myself, i decided to look at what i was naturally skilled at and find a way to utilize that to it's best effect.
And when i was younger, and attending pentecostal churches i tried to blend into the expressive approach so commonly found in such churches, but once i got older i realized that it wasn't sincere. And if it's not sincere, what's the point? So i did not participate in church worship at all. Didn't even sing. I saved that for when i was at home, alone, and whatever happened was not a result of other people, but what i felt to do. It helped a lot.
Try doing more one on one approaches to talk to people. Often time that's actually more effective as it allows you to build on things, rather than a one and done approach. I recall in high school i never approached anyone to witness, i simply made it clear to everyone around me what i believed and eventually people approached me about it on their own.

Not everything is about being outgoing and showy or loud. Remember it's the meek who inherit the earth.

the only requirement for Worshiping God is to do so in Spirit and in truth.

Isaiah 30:15 For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: ...
...In repentance and rest you will be saved...
...your strength would lie in quiet confidence—...

I believe your peace is what would intrigue unbelievers the most toward an interest in the Source of it.

Greetings,

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses. 🙏

Paul.

most incredible sunrises and sunsets go barely noticed by most. when you seek out a favorable vantage point there is rarely anyone there. the sky does the praising without words. quiet awe is a suitable response. some whispered wows and thank You's may cross the lips. silently being there to appreciate His handiwork does not go unnoticed.

the colors of the veil to the Holiest place are blue, purple and scarlet(red). He sometimes displays His wonders even twice a day. Some are windows to heaven and His beauty. Most are lonely solemn moments but worth every second.

I forget what the conversation was all about...well this preacher was talking to God about how some in Church when they sing.. ooh can not carry a tune and was wondering how God looked at it. The lord said I made the song bird I made the Crow. Do you see? Oh haha not that your the crow haha. Just were all different He LOVES I mean LOVES it when you worship praise sing you name it .. your way.