How honest are you when praying

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anglewannabe
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Anglewannabe

Guest
I have always been rather comfortable praying to God and being honest with most of my thoughts. Recently, a trusted Catholic friend who I sometimes pray with, pointed out areas where I was ‘not doing my work’ so to speak. I was telling her about things she believes need to be brought in prayer to God.

I believe in telling God everything and agree with her point. However, after her pointing this out, I realized these are things I just avoid praying to God about. I believe God is my father and in an ideal world I would be able to pray to Him about these things that I want guidance on.

So, my question is, when you find yourself avoiding praying about something you know is important, what do you do?

Angie
 
I try to pray with an open heart, but sometimes I look inside and see that I’m not telling the whole story. It’s like I think God already knows that and I don’’ have to say it or I think He would not like me saying negative things when that’s really what I’m thinking. So, really you shocked me by asking the question that I will think about all day today… am I being honest when I talk to God???
 
This is one of the reasons I love confession (although I also really really dislike confession, if you know what I mean. :p) You have to be honest. It is easy to try and trick ourselves into thinking that we can fool God. I do notice it in prayer sometimes - I’ll start offering excuses, or saying, “Well at least I didn’t do x/y/z,” and so on. I do try to avoid it when I notice it.

For me it stems from a place where I feel like I have to “impress” God in order for Him to love me, so I try and cover up my faults. It is intensely freeing, but also scary, to acknowledge that His love for me transcends all that.
 
Three things.
  1. Psalm 139 (138 in the Douay)
  2. Confide in the Mother of God, or in some other Saint you feel comfortable with (St. Therese of Lisieux, perhaps?)
  3. Regular sacramental confession. If you are not Catholic, you can still make an appt. to talk with a priest and tell him about your struggles, ask for advice, etc.
 
petra22 said:
I try to pray with an open heart, but sometimes I look inside and see that I’m not telling the whole story. It’s like I think God already knows that and I don’’ have to say it or I think He would not like me saying negative things when that’s really what I’m thinking. So, really you shocked me by asking the question that I will think about all day today… am I being honest when I talk to God???
Click to expand...
Hi Petra,

I mean the following in a kind way or to start a discussion to grow.

I agree God knows what you are thinking before you even say it. However, I also think it please God that we ‘state the obvious’. It shows a willingness to go towards Him.

And personally, when I have a negative though that I know is not charitable, I still tell God (probably more out of an attitude that I have nothing to hide :p) but I do try and follow up with 'Please help me change and soften my heart

Angie
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top