As a child parents never took us to church. But they had friends that took us children with them too church. When i turned 16 and got a Job I quit going because I was a kid and I wanted to party. Now fast forward 25 years and I have spent years in Ohio Reformatory for women two to be exact, for drugs I know I've shared my story here before and I'm going to celebrate 11 years sober July 10th this year from all drugs heroin pills cocaine crack name it I was doing it. Now back to the people that took me to church as a child I reconnected with them and this Sunday I will be going to church with them again and I'm going to get baptized. Now you probably wondering why I need prayers right? I got a text message from the pastor last night and I guess before I get baptized I'm going to be up on stage in front of the church and David and Sally are going to come up with me in the pastor and David and Sally will pray over me before I get baptized but I have to say something to the church on why I want to get baptized or what my story is what led me to the path to want to declare my faith in public through a public baptism. Just pray that what I say is good enough. I'm not a very good public speaker. Thank you in advance
Could use some prayers this week.
🧘Mental/Physical Health 🏋🏼♂️
This is beautiful! God just wants you back in the fold and you are going back. Bless you. Let the Spirit lead you.
Do not worry about "good enough" - Jesus died for us because we are not and can never be good enough, but He is more than sufficient. Praying that you will have peace and be calm, and congratulations!!!
This.
Anything you say is good enough. Even if you have to say anything at all. Usually the preacher may ask you, but saying it in front of a congregation may not even happen. But….hope it does. Be ready for it. Say you want to. It’s doesn’t have to be anything special, or pretty to anyone else. It’s just you and the Lord. Think about it this way….IF, you have to say anything, it could massively help someone else there needing help and afraid. You could be what moves them to the Lord right after. The Lord uses us, and be thankful for that. Just remember you don’t have to satisfy anyone here on Earth. Just be satisfied with yourself and your relationship with Jesus Christ. You’re loved and blessed friend.
It will be good enough. Everybody will be too busy crying and praising God to worry about if you said it 'properly,' believe me. I'm already crying now because -- what a wonderful story. So happy you found what really matters and what really fills your heart with contentment. I'll pray for you. God bless.
Dear fren, may you fully convey what the baptism means to you. I think you will be able to do so.
Congratulations! Prayers for you, and trust the Holy Spirit will give you the right words when you need them.
Prayers going up! ANDDD you'll be fine. Just speak from the heart, and don't even worry about holding it all together. It's gonna be an emotional moment, and that's okay. I'm so excited for you! Please let us know how it goes.
Have courage. You will be there at all due to the courage and love of others and you have God nudging you along. You could honor these people who had an abiding interest in you. You could say the seed they planted when you were a child finally came to fruit after the Holy Spirit showed you you were on the wrong path and turned you around. You could say that after your poor choices you want to make a public statement rejecting the bad past and declaring your new self, and what better way to cast off the old than baptism.
No problem fren! You will do great. Just say what comes. There is no wrong thing to be said. Share your gratitude that through it all, our Savior has not forgotten you. Stay humble and beautiful dear pede. Put on the full armor of God and we’ll see you on the battlefield. Many blessings and all the love.
If you speak the truth from the heart, it will always be good enough. I love that God gave us baptism...it is so beautiful to rise up from our death, burial and resurrection to walk in the newness of life. You have a unique journey to Christ...but it is one we all share...lost in sin and then saved by the blood of the Lamb. I was brought to church by neighbors and I think it is so cool you were able to reconnect. God bless you so richly on your journey....salvation is the most important gift you will ever receive in your life and the Lord loves to bless his children, so enjoy all the wonderful gifts that God is just waiting to bless you with. God bless David and Sally for their faithfulness to share the gospel and to make a difference in somebody's life...that is the definition of love...
First off, Congratulations.
Don't rehearse what you'll say, just let the moment move you and speak from the heart. You will be among people that want to support and encourage you so don't be afraid of their judgement because that is just in your head. Just my 2 cents worth.
Prayers sent. You will be amazing.
I'm praying for you, too. Speak from your heart and it will be perfect.
God bless you, fren. Don't worry about what you will say, Jesus will be standing right beside you. Forget the congregation and just pour your heart out to Him.
When I tell my story at an AA meeting, I stick to the tried-and-true method of telling them what it was like (quite awful, actually), what happened (God led me to AA), and what it's like now (a vivid life full of joy). That always works.
I am glad you were set free...I hate alcohol and we are, as a family, suffering greatly from it's deadly reach...but God is faithful...
I prayed that God will give you the words to say. Listen and let him speak through you. I am so happy for you and the changes you have made in your life. May God continue to bless you throughout your life.
God will be with you. Say what is in your heart and The Holy Spirit will help. Think not about your fear but how your testimony will bless those that will hear it. Quite possibly other families have sons and daughters with similar issues and your words will give them hope. In this season of Lent your comments will lift the spirts of those that hear them at the perfect time. May God give you his strength and love.
Just speak fren. The Holy Spirit will make the words. Congrats on the recovery and baptism.
Just remember tjhat God has been watching over you this whole time and loves you unconditionally. The Holy Ghost will bless you for your decision and your commitment. God bless you.
Truth is a powerful thing. In public or in private, whether you speak loudly or softly, for a short time or a long time, when you speak truth, it will resonate in the heart of the listeners. God is truth, God is love, God is strength. Draw on His strength, not yours.
Be honest and speak from the heart. When you do that, God's truth shines through your words; it's like having 4 aces in your hand; you can't lose.
He knows we are weak, He knows our mistakes, and He loves us completely through it all. He loves you. Praise God, and God bless. He is with you, and will be with you at the baptism.
When the time comes, the Lord will tell you what to say. Don't worry about not being perfect, just know you're headed in the right direction.
The Holy Spirit will help you affirm your faith in Christ alone for your salvation, justification and eventual glorification. You don't need to be a good speaker, just glorify your Lord and Saviour!!
Praise God for you and David and Sally and His work through all of you!
This is not my suggestion for what to say, this is just my reaction to your post.
Will pray with confidence that your baptism will be a special moment in your life and in the life of your church family. Praise God for such moments!
Thanks for sharing this moment with your GAW family too OP.
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:20 NIV
https://matthew.bible/matthew-10-20
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
Prayers on the way fren.
Wherever we are in life, we are in the right spot for the hand of Jesus that is always extended to us. He waits patiently for us to grasp His hand and follow Him. Whatever you say or don't say, HE will hear it and that's all that matters and HE knows your heart. I was baptized about 8 years ago and needed to say something. Gratitude is always good for the One who gave His life so that we could choose to live. Blessings to you, friend.
Oh, you will surprise yourself. Just remember to give thanks for whatever comes our of your earthen vessel. We will all join the Heaven Triumphant in giving thanks..."on earth as it is in Heaven".
The Holy Spirit will speak through you, and it will be good, I am sure of this.
Thank you for sharing your story, it really touched me. You are a beacon of hope.
It will be good enough. God already loves you and wants you back, all you have to do is extend him an olive branch. God bless.
I wouldn't. For the simple reason that I do not like being up on stage with everyone looking at me as you most probably don't.
Tell the pastor you don't want to do that, if he is a good man he will understand, but if he tries to pressure you into it? Then you will know who he is.
Here is a different solution - She could just get in front of everyone, state how she is scared to speak publically, and then bow her head in prayer and ask everyone else to do it. Simple yet powerful.
I like this, thank you for this my fren.
On the flip side, it's an incredibly important thing to publicly profess one's faith in, and love of, Jesus.
I think very few would be innately comfortable in front of a large crowd. That fear was not put into us by our Loving Creator. ❤️
I’m praying that God gives you the words you mean to say. I know He will. Tell them your story like you told us. It’s very moving. We love you!
Congratulations!
All you have to do is proclaim God freeing you. What you said in your post was the message you are here to share whether it's on a forum or to a community face to face.
So happy for you. I understand being afraid to talk in front of big groups….In your case my first thought was….Everyone there; audience and on stage wants you to succeed and are happy for you. No reason to be apprehensive. Say what’s in your heart.