Father, Help Me to Meet You in Authentic Prayer

Have you ever felt that there were things you couldn’t authentically pray before God? Maybe the things you wanted to say seemed selfish. Maybe it was because you were angry or cranky, and you felt ashamed because you thought those feelings made you a “bad” Christian. Perhaps you felt overwhelmed and heartbroken, but you didn’t want to appear ungrateful or unfaithful before God. I’ve been there. There have been times when I’ve struggled in prayer because I thought that bringing my authentic feelings and problems to God was disrespectful. Overtime, I’ve come to realize that God already knows what I’m thinking, and He still loves me.

It’s okay to struggle with feeling tired, disappointed, angry, heartbroken, or ashamed in prayer. In fact, the most important thing we can do is learn to authentically pray by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and bring our desires and feelings to God. We serve a faithful and loving God who wants to meet with us, speak into our lives, and comfort us.

As we pray, let’s ask God to help us trust in His love and grace enough to pray authentically.

Prayer of the Week: Asking God to Help Us Learn to be Vulnerable and Pursue Him in Authentic Prayer

Father, my soul is thirsty for your presence. I need you and desire to be close to you. I’m so tired, Lord. I’ve been trying to hide my hurt, anxiety, anger, and heartbrokenness. I’ve been trying to be perfect, but I’m not, Lord. Help me to be vulnerable in your presence. Teach me to pray authentically to you. Your word says “call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). I take up your invitation, Lord. Help me to come to you without pretenses and pretending. Meet me, Father, as I bring you my brokenness and heartache. Lord, I leave these things at the foot of the cross. Thank you for taking them for me.

I also pray that you will answer me, Father. I’m desperate to hear your voice in this moment. Please lovingly whisper your truths to me as I call out to you authentically in prayer. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!