HONESTY IN PRAYER

Read Psalm 139:1-6

The psalmist wrote, “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”

~Psalm 139:4~

When I stop to think about it, one of my favorite psalms can also feel a bit scary. In Psalm 139, David talked about how God sees everything and is everywhere. God sees us when we wake up and when we are going from here to there. And then David says this: “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.” God knows everything I’m thinking and everything I am going to say! Isn’t that a beautiful and terrifying thing to know?

Even though God knows all the unspoken words within us, sometimes it’s hard to decide how we should talk to God when we pray. At times I have prayed what I thought I should pray or what I thought God wanted to hear rather than what I was actually feeling and wanting to say. I would tell God that I was thankful when I was actually upset, or that I was grateful for God‘s peace when I didn’t feel any peace.

Thinking about my own prayers, I realize that I often hold back something from God because it feels like something selfish. But the Bible tells us that our Father loves to hear our request. So I have resolved to be honest and say the words I need to say: “Lord, I’m tired, and I feel like I’m in over my head at work.” “Jesus, I’m restless. I’m struggling with anxiety. I need your peace.” Nothing is too big or too small to share with God.

Today I will be honest with God in my prayers.

Adam Weber (South Dakota)

Dear Lord, help us not to be afraid to be open and honest when we talk to you, holding nothing back. Amen