Naked Prayer?

I have been thinking about prayer a lot lately. There are times when a thought will play over and over in my mind. For days I will mull it over, looking at it every which way until I know God wants me to write about it. This has been one of those times.

When I began my walk with Jesus my prayers were more journal entries of my thoughts, reflections, struggles and confessions. I would write out my cries before the Lord instead of speaking them with words.

Then I was told I needed to pray for people, for request and through a prayer list. This was often done in church, at prayer meetings and during my own prayer time. I understand that we are to take our request before God in prayer, but why were these list made up of peoples illnesses, job losses, and Suzy’s great-aunt’s neighbors friend’s broken toe. :) Yes they are important and God does care about those things…even a broken toe. I am not saying we should NOT pray for these things OR that God does not care about them. But what about the deeper struggles of life?   

I am not saying we shouldn’t pray about health issues, broken pipes, needing a new car or Aunt Matilda’s cat, but there should be more to it than a list. Shouldn’t prayer be a conservation between God and His children where together we can pour out our heart to Him? Talk to Him about those things we struggle with, sin, wrong attitudes and temptations we face. Shouldn’t prayer be a pouring out of our heart and soul before God? Crying out to Him in humility?

Why don’t we pray as a church for that couple whose marriage is about to fall apart? Or that man/woman struggling with pornography? What about the woman who feels lost, alone and wondering if she can even go on? A prodigal children or church member? Most church prayer list do not reflect anything to do with praying for the deep spiritual issues, but why?

I want to learn to pray in a way that is real, honest and transparent with others. Not is a gossipy way or a way that brings dishonor to those I am praying for, but a way that truly seeks their best interest spiritually. I want to focus on spiritual healing not just physical healing.

The problem(for me) is over time I have become discouraged in my prayer life. I haven’t stopped praying. But what I long for is to be able to pray with one another as a community in a soul bare, naked sort of way. Without fear of judgment or condemnation. To pray with compassion and in tears over the burdens and sin struggles of my brothers and sisters. But maybe I ask too much? Maybe it’s asking others and including myself to be TOO real?

What do you think? Do you have a community or person you can pray “naked” with? I am praying that God would bring that into my life. Not only bring those I can pray with…but a real willingness of myself to open up and pray with total honesty.

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. …Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:13-16

Oh Father I pray that you would open my heart to be willing to pray in such a raw, real way. Bring those into my life that are willing to pray on this level with me. Amen.
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