Messy Prayers

Scripture

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.-Hebrews 4:15

Tears streaking down my face, I lifted my frustrated hands. "Lord, I want to please you in every way, but I can't seem to make the right decisions in certain areas of my life." I had prayed this prayer for a while. I struggled with being completely vulnerable with God as if it made me a weak believer. Subconsciously, I believed as if I were vulnerable about my struggles, then somehow I'd be disqualified from being used by Him. These kinds of sanitized neat prayers went on for months until one day the my struggles became too much to bear. Suddenly, instead of lifting frustrated hands, I lifted broken hands. "Father, please help me. I cannot do this on my own. I'm so frustrated with my life right now. I beg you, please help me. I want to please you, but I'm struggling." I began to list the things He already knew I struggled with. It wasn't until I was vulnerable and honest with God about my feelings and struggles that I experienced a release.

So often believers pray prayers that are neat and tidy. We're not honest with God about what we are truly going through. It's not like He doesn't already know, He understands! Jesus lived a completely human life, although He was God at the same time. He knows exactly what we are facing in this life. There is no emotion that we feel or disposition that we have that God is not acquainted with. Beloved, tell Him. When you go into your closet to pray, tell Him. If you're angry with Him, tell Him. If you're having problems forgiving someone, tell Him. If you're struggling with depression, tell Him. If you're struggling with lust, tell Him. As a result of that lust, you fell into temptation, tell Him. If you're wary and frustrated, tell Him. If you're having issues in your marriage, tell Him. If you're discouraged, tell Him. If you're feeling sorrowful, tell Him. HE UNDERSTANDS! You don't have to mask your feelings with God. Jesus Christ understands all that we're going through. Cry in the secret place with your Father. Messy prayers are raw and honest, for this is relationship with God. Aren't we vulnerable with those we love and trust the most? Is God included in this group?