I am a strong proponent of honest prayer.
I really have no time for pretending I am more holy, more pious, more cleaned up than I actually am. Too much pretending exhausts me.
And I believe that prayer is one of the primary places in our lives with God where we are deeply tempted to pretend.
That is why I like Anne Lamott.
For many, she is too irreverent.
For me, she is just about right.
Here is a prayer she wrote:
Hi, God.
I am just a mess.
It is all hopeless.
What else is new?
I would be sick of me, if I were You, but miraculously You are not.
I know I have no control over other people’s lives, and I hate this. Yet, I believe that if I accept this and surrender, You will meet me wherever I am.
Wow. Can this be true? If so, how is this afternoon – say, two-ish?
Thank you in advance for Your company and blessings.
You have never once let me down.
Amen.
How’s that for honest?