Why do some preachers pray in KJV vernacular?

I'm sure this is a topic that has roused everyone's curiosity at one time or another. You hear a preacher speak in modern, contemporary speech - and expound scripture in modern, contemporary speech...but when it comes time to pray, he bows his head and begins in 17th century English, "I praise [i]Thee,[/i] O Lord, that Thou art faithful and canst do all things..."

Why do you think this is? Is it because it renders an increased sense of holiness in the delivery? Or is it because of years and years of accustoming oneself to the Word of God in the KJV? Are there any in these forums that address God as "Thou" in closet prayer? If so, do you address Him as "Thou" in public prayer as well? Do you go back and forth?

To dispell any embarassment on this thread, I will be the first here to confess to addressing God as "Thou" in private. I don't know why or how this started - it just seemed right and natural and good and deep and soothing and spiritual. It was rather odd at first, but like tongues, the more I surrendered and gazed upon Jesus, the more comfortable and natural it became. I am apprehensive, however, to pray in such a way before a group of people (especially before the more younger, "hipper" believers), not because I am ashamed, but because I don't want to be a stumbling block and divert their attention to me. They might think I'm trying to put on some kind of "holier-than-thou" persona, and although this is not true, why even give rise to the occasion?

Has anyone else gone through something like this, either making peace with it, or abandoning such practices? I've noticed that since I've started memorizing Bible chapters, that the temptation to pray in such a way has only [i]increased[/i] and become even more spontaneous.

No mocking, please. Let's deal with this rationally and seriously and soberly. I would like some feedback!

Brother Paul

You have pretty much summed up my "prayer language" as well. I too in private pray with thees and thous, as it seems reverential. I do not know how or why, it simply happened.

As I read more and more of the KJV, Puritan writings etc. perhaps they have influenced me more than I know. Like you though in public, I do not pray this way, and for the same reason. I have realized that there are enough people who have trouble praying with someone else and the last thing they need is to feel they have been "one upped" or "lesser" because they pray in modern language.

I see no problem with it so long as we do not allow it to become a source of pride, for what do we have that we have not received, and if we have received it then why should we boast?

The Lord bless you, my dear friend.

As I read more and more of the KJV, Puritan writings etc. perhaps they have influenced me more than I know.

Yes, yes, undoubtedly, yes. These are factors!

I see no problem with it so long as we do not allow it to become a source of pride, for what do we have that we have not received, and if we have received it then why should we boast?

These are the breathings of my heart as well. Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God. Perhaps one day God will allow me to pray in such a bold way, in public. A large contributer to my apprehension has been the open mockery of well-meaning preachers to this kind of praying. I've heard it mocked straight from the pulpit of God, and it causes me inner pain and confusion [i]because they are talking about what I do.[/i] It is wonderful to know others pray in the same way, and with all humility.

Again, bless you, dear friend.

Brother Paul

I think I see what you are getting at, and I agree that we must be aware of anything that puts the focus upon us. But, do you know for a fact that said person was indeed singing to impress man? or could it be they were being blessed by the song and thus sang differently?

There are so many factors that can lead to misunderstandings and tensions, thus it is always important to go the person and ask in love if that was indeed what they meant or said. I have not always done this, and it has caused many problems that were figments of my imagination and pride. By the grace of God, I have been able to ask, and confront some of those who have been mistaken, or were definately wrong, and it has not been easy. But there has been a clearing up of sorts.

All this to say, judge not according to outward appearances, but ask if what was done was intentional or a mistake, and do it in love and mercy as you would want someone to do with you.

Blessings to you, and may God grant you the grace needed to do this.

it bothers me, has bothered me, for a long time, forexample when in the middle of a song the key changes

Hi, and welcome to the thread!

What do you mean about "key changes"? Most hymns don't really change keys in the sense of starting in, say E and transitioning to Bb minor; hymns usually modulate to the relative minor or dominant, but most always resolve back to the tonic in the end. Simple chord progessions, and melody. For example, if a hymn is in G, you'll probably rest in D for awhile and possibly C or E minor. In four-part harmony you may have a simple modulation going to to the dominant, and this is quite necessary! This flowing of the melodic lines is necessary to avoid monotonous, modal chanting, or making the song seem trance-like.

How do you feel Christians should sing music and express melody to God that would not give a pretense of elevated holiness? By the way, I agree that heightened emotional expressions can indeed draw all the attention to the singer and take it off God.

Brother Paul

The KJV is a great version of the bible. I do find it interesting when people pray in the "King's English". I don't see it as wrong, but I do know that it can become a sense of pride.

What I find humorous is when a "KJV-only" pastor will modernize the KJV when reading in a sermon.

For example, Matthew 5:43 "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy."

Read as "Ye have heard that it hath been said, You shall love thy neighbour, and hate your enemy."

I think that praying in KJV vernacular is a result of praying Scripture.

Hello, dear sister.

You are right! It's like acquiring an accent. When I left Russia after living there and speaking nothing but Russian for years and years, when I finally tried to use my English I found it was seasoned with a Russian accent! My friends made fun of me; my mother was horrified!

I have made a practice of praying and meditating through Pslam 119, which is my all-time favorite chapter in the entire Word of God (that is, if I had to pick a favorite!) I open the KJV to this blessed chapter, and with The Book laying open before me, point to each verse and [i]pray[/i] and meditate before God. Ah, each golden, throbbing Word, each "Thy" each "Thou" is savoured and pondered and it just becomes ingrained so that when I'm away from The Book and releasing the breath of my spirit unto God, the vernacular just comes out the way it came in. I'm not [i]trying[/i] to be holier than anyone else - it just happens, like the Russian accent effortlessly diffusing through.

I'd tried to stop it, but found it just obstructed the flow of prayer and soon discovered it was best to just let go and release without any hinderance or mind on the Words naturally surfacing to my lips.

I know it makes no difference to God what words I use - 1611 KJV or 2007 Texan - as long as my heart is right and pure and clean. I've just found that when my heart is right and pure, the KJV, for some reason, just surfaces.

Brother Paul

I have made a practice of praying and meditating through Pslam 119 - easily my my most favorite chapter in all the Word of God.

Yes,

I think most people who speak King James in their prayers are practicing a type of reverential, (if also formal) tone towards God. They are carrying their respect for the written Word over into their relationship with the Author.

MC

PaulWest wrote:
Why do you think this is?

i think it has to do with what you "feed" on, if you use the KJV and read books written at that time, you get influenced by it, for my self i speak another mothertunge then English but before i was saved i spoke a certain way, when i got saved i did not speak the same, and by this short time i have been saved my speech has transformed more and more, i more frequently use words in the Bible that are not so common in "ordinary" language. I use a modern version in my language, the old Swedish has its "thees" and "thous" too, to me it becomes more poetic in using those words, it becomes more "devotional" somehow it seems to me, like a greater respect for what I'm doing, to somehow unconsciously mark that this is specially holy time. Do this make sense to you? i hope you understand this anyway i somewhat lack of expression and words in what i trying to say. God bless you all

Christian

I have heard many a preacher, and layman for that matter, pray in a manor that is completely different from their normal speech. I have often wondered about this.

Does this truly stem from such a familiarity with the KJV? Maybe, but why has it only affected their prayers?

I will be totally honest here. It kind of makes me feel…well…I’m not really sure, maybe uneasy in a way.

I pray the same way, public or private. He is my Best Friend, Savior and Lord whether I am praying on my knees in my small apartment bedroom or standing in front of a large congregation.

I may be standing and have my eyes closed but in my minds eye I am always kneeled in front of him. I just pray like he’s right there with me…because he is.

I never really think about it. I just want to be genuine. I guess if you speak with a Boston accent, but your prayers sound like you are from Mississippi it doesn’t really matter if your heart is right. God alone knows why they do it…and for what reasons.

It just seems weird to hear someone slip in and out of Elizabethan English.

I’ve never heard myself pray…I may sound Irish for all I know.

Just my 2 cents

PS I have had teachers comment on my writing style though.

Do this make sense to you? i hope you understand this anyway i somewhat lack of expression and words in what i trying to say.

I understand perfectly, brother. It seems this sort of thing transcends language and culture and what is natural and unnatural. Like Mike said, it seems to be an issue of reverence and respect and not so much desiring to be different and spiritually exalted. You can always tell when a little kid has been watching vain filth on TV: he begins reciting the dumb jokes, mannerisms, ebonics, slang and worldy one-liners he hears from the sources of influence.

I hope I don’t sound disrespectful...please forgive me if I do.

His ways...His thoughts...are so far above us and our mentality.

I really don’t think He cares about my grammar!

I’ve had times with God…when I screamed out in anger and fear…only to feel His presence.

I’ve also prayed, I’m sure with King James Wording….but who cares?

Does HE?

I doubt it.

He is SO FAR ABOVE US AND OUR WAYS.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Most think that if you speak in the Elizbathan way, it's more authoritative.

Yeah, especially if you SHOUT the Elizabethan!

On a seriouos note, though. I once heard Kenneth Copeland mock those who pray using "thou" and "thine" in their speech, and he distorted his voice and facial features to show how stupid it appeared to God. He said that God [i]hates[/i] when people talk to Him like that. Now, I couldn't care a hill of beans what Copeland thinks, I just wanted to use that as an example.