It’s no surprise that the Bible teaches us how to pray, but what the Bible teaches us to pray might shock you.
David is called a man, “after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), so it seems fitting that he’s recorded as praying Psalm 40 with the opening line,
“I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing…” (vv. 1-3).
It’s a prayer of praise and gratitude that God would rescue him from a hard place, giving him a new song, but turn back a page in your Bible to see David’s old song. It’s not as pleasant…
“Hear my prayer, O LORD! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears. For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more” (Psalm 39:12-13).
Wow! How can this be the David who’s after God’s own heart? Did he just tell God to leave him alone? Is it okay to talk to God like that? Why would God allow these prayers to be a part of his Holy Word?
The answer seems to be that God desires authenticity. David’s prayers reflect the full range of human emotion, from despair to joy, from feeling abandoned to being rescued. By including these raw and honest prayers in Scripture, God shows us that he welcomes our true selves, no matter what we’re going through.
When we approach God with honesty, we acknowledge our dependence on him, opening the door for his grace and healing to do its work. God is not afraid of our tough questions, doubts, or frustrations. Instead, he invites us to bring them to him, knowing that he can handle our deepest emotions and transform our sorrows into songs of praise.
Bring your true feelings to God. When you do, you’re welcoming God to meet you where you are and lead you to where he desires you to be. Embrace the example of David and give honest prayers to God, trusting that he hears us, loves us, and will lift us out of the pit, setting our feet on solid ground.