when bowing your head to pray
do not pretend about anything
for this is not a place for actors
you are not on stage awaiting your next line
this is holy ground
take off your shoes
and be you
if you have doubt,
say it
if you are angry,
say it
if you don’t believe,
say it
if you feel like he has forgotten you,
say it
do not fake faith in this moment
be who you are
where you are
lies are unbecoming
and do not convince you or God of anything
dishonesty has no place between you and a deity
He loves doubters and believers the same
as long as they are genuine
Besides,
you cannot lie to a holy God
He already knows
be like the Roman soldier
who half-heartedly wanted a miracle
(don’t we all half-heartedly want a miracle)
match your words to your heart
“I believe, help my unbelief”
when the truth is spoken,
it will feel foreign
but it will free you to feel whole again
this is the language of holy love
speak it boldly with a humble heart
leave your pretense and “suppose to be” outside the door
for intimacy without honesty is cheap and unfulfilling
a one night stand
prayer and God are too holy for that
you are too holy for that
be who you are
where you are
and God will reveal who he is
where he is
in return
