“Am I doing it right?”
That’s the question many of us ask about prayer. We desperately want to know if we’re “saying it right” or “thinking it right.” I do!
But Psalm 62 challenges our prayer norms. Verse eight says of God, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your hearts before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
That phrase, “Pour out your hearts before Him,” seeped in deeply. It’s a command, you know, “Pour out your hearts before Him.”
When it comes to prayer, many of us are comfortable praising God or thanking God. We know we’re supposed to be confessing to God. And when it comes to asking for stuff, we’re seasoned champs. But what about this invitation to “Pour out your hearts before Him”?
You say, “Isn’t that pretty much what I do every day? I tell God what I need and leave it with Him?” Nope. It’s not the same.
Charles Spurgeon advises, “Turn the vessel of your soul upside down in His secret presence, and let your inmost thoughts, desires, sorrows, and sins be poured out like water.”
Mind if I ask what’s in your heart?
- Sorrow over a lost loved one? Pour it out.
- Seething anger over a recent abuse? Pour it out.
- Disappointment over a failed relationship? Pour it out.
What’s in your heart? I dare you to go to a quiet room and dump out the whole nasty business. What if we prayed like this:
“God, I’ve made a mess of things. Everything is broken. Because you’ve invited me to pour out my heart, I’ll give you the whole list right now.” And away you go—slowly and methodically listing any and every ugly word, worry, pain, fear, or sin. Skip nothing. Dump everything.
Spurgeon advises, “Hide nothing from Him, for you can hide nothing. To the Lord unburden your soul – let Him be your only Father-confessor, for He only can absolve you when He has heard your confession.”
I’m not saying we should permanently avoid times of adoration as we pray. Or that we jettison the idea of confession or thanksgiving. But it seems to me there’s a place—and must be space—to pour out your heart before Him. Try it!
What’s in your heart?
