Being Honest in Prayer

“Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭13-14 ‭NKJV‬‬

I love Ananias's response when the Lord told him to go to Saul (Paul). It is so honest and real. It’s refreshing! Ananias speaks to the Lord like a friend, telling him his concerns. Think about it. It was not like the Lord didn’t know this information. God knows everything about everything! But this was a concern for Ananias, and therefore, it was a concern for God.

If you remember the story, you may recall that God didn’t scold or reprimand Ananias. Instead, He reassured him. “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Ananias’s words remind us that we, too, need to be open and honest in prayer. We need to voice what is on our heart - our concerns, wishes, desires, and fears. After all, who are we kidding? We cannot hide these from the Lord. He knows us better than we know ourselves. So tell Him. As your loving Heavenly Father, He loves to hear how you really feel and what you’re really thinking.

Father, Thank you that I can come to you and honestly pour out my heart. You know everything there is to know about me, yet you still want to hear from me. Thank you for caring for me and loving me. Thank you for your patience and for being such a great God. Amen.