... that I might know how to speak to the weary a word ... (Is 50:4)

If you do not prepare much before you get up to proclaim you’ll have the guilt-feelings (and stumbles) normally associated with being unprepared and they will be reflected in the proclamation (and shame on you!).

Understanding the particular passage you are preparing to proclaim is very important:
What is the author's intent?
What are the circumstances surrounding the situation described or inferred in the passage?
What is the author's tone? Is it argumentative? urgency? advising? anger? joyful? scheming? threatening?
How does this tone "sound" out loud (it is often very different than when we are merely reading to ourselves!)?
Is it a mix of tones? How do you intend to make distinctions between them? What will that sound like?

Appreciation for the content of the Scriptures is important and a lifelong pursuit. Take to heart the notion that to be truly a Minister of the Word you must accept the responsibility to spend quality time with the Scriptures -- in prayer and study. Otherwise, you’re merely an oral reader of the text of the Scriptures.

An emphasis on understanding who “YOU” are is important, too. Effective proclamation involves the YOU of who you are:
- what you believe
- the depth of your faith in what you believe
- your confidence that God Loves you simply because you are who you are
- your conviction that Jesus and the Spirit will use you effectively if you agree to let them and accept their Will.

The use of “emotion” in your proclamation must not be confused with “dramatics” -- nothing is further from the truth. If you approach your ministry with the idea that you are sharing your faith as you understand it and are living it, you will find that natural emotions come easily to you as you proclaim. "Do not be afraid" to use them!

Put all this together in your practice time repeated over several days. In each session, proclaim the reading out loud and then check your notes, etc. afterward and assess how well or poorly you think you did. Then, try again! If a trusted critic is handy ask for their opinion. Finally, give your mind time to evaluate how you "did" from one practice session to another.