--HONESTY IN PRAYER ~~

---The Psalmist wrote, "Before a word is on my tongue You, LORD, know it completely."
--(Psalm 139:4 / NIV)--

--WHEN I STOP to think about it, one of my favorite Psalms can also feel a bit scary. In Psalm 139, David talks about how God sees everything and is everywhere. God sees us when we wake up and when we're going from here to there. And then David says this: "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely." God knows everything I'm thinking and everything I'm going to say! Isn't that a beautiful and awesome thing to know?

Even though God knows all the unspoken words within us, sometimes it's hard to decide how we should talk to God when we pray. At times I have prayed what I thought I should pray or what I thought God wanted to hear rather than what I was actually feeling and wanting to say. I would tell God that I was thankful when I was actually upset, or that I was grateful for God's peace when I didn't feel any peace.

Thinking about my own prayers, I realize that I often hold back something from God because it feels like something selfish. But the Bible tells us that our Father loves to hear our request. So I've resolved to be honest and say the words I need to say. For example= "Lord, I'm tired, and I feel like I'm in over my head at work." "Jesus, I'm restless. I'm struggling with anxiety. I need Your peace." Nothing is too big or too small to share with God. He is our Father. He loves to hear from us, His children. ~~

-"Lord God, help us not to be afraid to be open and honest when we talk to You, holding nothing back. You already know all of our thoughts and intents of our hearts. Thank You, Jesus, that You understand us because You became flesh, and dwelt among us. We give you praise. ~Amen~ "

--UPPER ROOM~ --"Listen To Our Hearts" / Casting Crowns / <https://youtu.be/LxqHo2Pvfm0>
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