The Power of Praying Honest Prayers

My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:1

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Mark 15:34

Honest praying is no insult to God who knows all.

He knows our hearts anyway. Every speck. Every little corner we think we’ve shrouded with sheets of shame, concealed with camouflaged control, partitioned off behind panels of performance, He sees.

So why not be honest in prayer?

The Psalmists knew honesty’s power.

Jesus, the Son of God, dared ask His Father a raw and honest question in the last minute of His life.

What’s stopping us?

The power of praying honest prayers lies in the character of the One to whom we #pray. He is Truth, and He is just. When we pray honestly, we can’t lose. Click To Tweet

Honest prayer is a win-win situation. 

If there is fault in me, God will transform me with His mighty power. If there is fault in my brother, He will transform them with His mighty power. In the end, both I and the one for whom I pray will be transformed.

Am I in error in my thinking about my circumstances, another person, God Himself? 

When I pray honestly about these things, the One who knows all will set me right. He will change my mind with His thoughts that are higher than mine. He will lead me in His ways that are higher than mine. He will fill my heart with His own desires and they will become mine too. He will exchange my shoddy love for His perfect love that lays down its life for another. With His mighty Word, He will divide truth from error in me and expose the thoughts and motivations of my heart hidden even from myself.

I cannot lose when I pray honest prayers to the God who sees all of me. And all of my brother.

If you must speak plainly, do it alone with God first.

Before you have that frank conversation with a brother or sister, have it with God. Let Him check your words, your motives, your deep-seated thoughts that look righteous but may be selfish.

Do you see something in the world around you that troubles you? Do you perceive a sin in your neighbor that disturbs you?

Talk to God in honest prayer. Bring what you see to Him and let Him weigh in on the matter. You may be His instrument of intercession. Or He may use this honest prayer to get honest with you about your own heart.

Either way, it’s a win for the kingdom of God and He gets the glory.

Praying honest prayers is a discipline we need. The world needs it. I need it. I hope my friends pray honestly for me. For surely the heart is deceitful above all else; who can know it? 

Lord, examine my heart and search my mind, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.

@audreycfrank

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