Living Changed: Conversations With GodSample

Honest Talk

Our prayers don’t have to be pretty. They can be words of frustration, anger, worry, fear, sadness, and brokenness. No matter what we’re feeling, God can handle it. 

Sometimes we’re afraid to tell God what’s deep down inside us, but we can’t hide ourselves from Him. He already knows our hearts, and He loves us just the same. Our prayers can’t upset Him, shock Him, or overwhelm Him. He’s unshakeable.

He longs for us to share more than delicate, cleaned up prayers with Him. He wants all of us—the good, the bad, and the ugly—because pouring our hearts out to God is what allows Him to take the burden from us. Just as Jesus wore our sin and shame on the cross, He wants to carry the weight of our everyday burdens so we don’t have to.

In moments when we feel so much pain that we can’t even form the words to speak, God understands. The Apostle Paul said it this way—the Spirit intercedes for us with wordless groans. He mourns with us, and He fights for us. Our God can be trusted with our hearts.

My grandmother was a big-time worrier but her Bible was worn out when she died at age 87. The way she constantly talked to God was inspiring. She didn’t pace herself to death, she paced herself with prayer. She knew going to God was the only thing to do with her worry.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, even Jesus felt overwhelmed and told His closest friends that He needed to go pray. When the only perfect man that ever lived experienced crushing grief, He knew what to do with it. He took it to His Heavenly Father in prayer. 

As Jesus showed us, it’s ok to feel hurt, sad, or afraid. Just be careful not to go pouring your heart out to everyone except God. Give it to the one who can do something about it. In exchange, He will give you peace. 

Practice- Have an honest conversation with God. If you’re not sure where to start, ask Him to show you where you’re putting up a wall and invite Him to break it down. Tell God exactly how you feel. It’s ok to yell, and it’s ok to cry. When you’ve poured it all out, ask Him to fill the space with His perfect peace.