Prayers

---

Unless you have been on a long mission to discover new galaxies in the depths of outer space, you are aware that it's election time in the United States of America. As per ritual, every four years American citizens listen to the sales pitch of presidential candidates who desire to sit behind the desk of the Oval Office and lead our nation.

Those candidates do their best to attract voters by appealing to their hopes and dreams, reassuring them they will effectively deal with issues that cause fear and uncertainty, and creating slogans and unique phrases which become a signature staple of their campaign. Oftentimes, their words become too cliche and lack the authenticity for which voters truly search.

Most people desire their political candidates to be honest and genuine instead of merely manipulating words for the purpose of receiving votes. When it comes to prayer, however, we have to ask ourselves what does God desire when we communicate with Him? Does He want to only hear perfectly formatted words, or rather, honest words from our heart?

Too often in our relationship with God, it is easy to allow our prayer life to become routine and methodical. We memorize our prayers in much the same way an actor memorizes a script. When we attempt to talk to God, we are so bored by our own words that we fall asleep or find our mind wandering aimlessly. In the worst case scenario, our prayers are so empty we simply stop praying altogether for long periods of time.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us we need not fear approaching God in an honest manner: "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (NKJV)

We don't need to appease God with fanciful speeches and disingenuous promises. We don't need to pretend to have great faith when we are consumed in fear and discouragement. We don't need to keep up appearances with God when we know we are a haggard mess inside.

Have you ever been brutally honest with God? Have you ever told Him how you really feel about your life or circumstances that are tearing your soul apart? There are times in my life when I have been so distraught I just poured out whatever thoughts came to my mind. Instead of telling God what I assumed He would want to hear, I discarded routine prayer habits and spoke with raw, unadulterated truth. It was not aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly, it was gritty, honest prayer.

Psalm Chapter 139 is one of the most forthright and transparent communications in all of Scripture. The words of David break through any pretense of hiding from God.

David admits he is known intricately by God, even into the inner-most thoughts, and that nothing can be hidden in secret places.

1) Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2) You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
3) You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.
7) Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8) If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
11) If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;
12) Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. (NKJV)

David also did not mince words when expressing his feelings toward his adversaries. He was shockingly honest about what he desired God to do unto them.

19) Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
20) For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21) Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22) I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. (NKJV)

Lastly, David invites God to examine him and know his innermost fears, seeking guidance and faithful help from his Creator.

23) Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
24) And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. (NKJV)

The next time you talk to your Creator, examine your words to determine if you are speaking to Him as a politician speaks alluring words to an audience to gain favor, or if you are speaking to Him as a humble and broken human being, abandoned to truth and seeking His guidance through authentic expression. Simply speaking, God knows what you are thinking anyway, so you might as well be honest.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE