What is prayer?  It is a conversation with God.  A conversation that takes place for some on the road to work, beside their bed, in a crowded church or on the sidewalk in the park.  When prayer is used in the public realm it is much like a presentation.  It embodies the power of strong language, the use of emotion and most of all the Heart.

You need to have all of these in your communication.  I often tell people that the ability to "Keep it Real" is where real power lies in a person delivering a message.  When a message is going to be negative, think about how it will affect those in the audience.  A powerful message could create excitement and need some calming words to keep the flow.  Think about the many meetings, presentations, services, etc you attend every year and the countless words that you hear.  Now think of the hundreds of emotions that you have felt when listening to those same words. 

Emotions that we go through in a given situation mean we have connected with our speaker and the depth of the topic.  It has spoken to us in a deeper way and touched our heart.  Now think about a call to action that occured at that moment.  Weren't you more likely to take hold and be convicted to change your way, make a difference, sign up to do something?  You get my meaning now.  Instilling emotion, passion - TRUE HEART - into your topics will do the same thing.  The last time you prayed weren't you using your heart then, speaking from your heart...

Many people pray at funerals, in church and anytime that struggles happen.  Many pray before they present as it is a last ditch effort to do well and remove the nerves.  No matter where you pray, or how just remember to do it from the heart.  Make your conversations, presentations and prayers from the heart.