Are your prayers too polite?

It happens all too often. We finally set aside time to pray — on our own or in a group — and what happens first?

Someone begins with a polite prayer, “Lord, thank you for gathering us here….” This of course, is not wrong. But if we can be honest, most of our hearts are far away from politeness.

In fact, if you read Luke 18:1–8, Jesus suggests that when it comes to prayer most of us are losing heart and giving up. The main reason that happens is because we, like the widow face all kinds of opposition and adversaries. We keep getting beaten down by lack of answers to prayer while we live in a world of injustice and evil.

So when we get to prayer meeting or quiet time, or a 10 minute shower without a toddler interrupting, polite thoughts about God are not usually at the front of our mind.

Rather, we think about family and friends who don’t believe in God, we think about a friend who was sexually abused, our children who have learning disabilities and are being bullied. We are consumed with the unfairness and injustice of our world.

Here’s a suggestion: Begin there. Begin right there by telling God about all the things that discourage you and make you want to quit praying.

Phil Yancey in his book on Prayer suggests that this sort of ragged honesty (even in a heart wrenching story about a young woman who was raped) is the best way to begin praying.

So, let’s ask the question again: Are your prayers too polite?

Perhaps a more ragged and honest approach will be a better front door to prayer than politeness.