Recently, I’ve been noticing a verbal trend characterized by the increased usage of “honestly, truthfully or actually,” writes the popular Catholic evangelist Pete Burak, pictured, in the latest edition of FAITH Magazine, the official publication of the Diocese of Lansing.
It goes something like this: “Honestly, I think Father’s homily was actually really good.” Or, “Truthfully, I wasn’t a fan of the bridesmaids’ dresses.” I’ve found myself wondering why those qualifying words are necessary. Are other things I say not true, therefore I need to make sure I reiterate that this time I’m speaking honestly?
Assuming that most people aren’t trying to be duplicitous, they are using these words to emphasize a point. But I also think we can be intimidated by the thought of speaking the full, unvarnished truth. We think we’ll be too much, too intense, too honest. Although we certainly want to be wise and kind in how we communicate with others, what about how we communicate with God? We must be careful not to allow an imperfect sense of prudence to water down our conversations with him.
We don’t need to sugarcoat our prayers. Jesus is not scandalized by our sin, our insecurities, our questions or our anxieties. God is not overwhelmed by us. We’re not too much for him. A wise priest once told me, “Pete, when you begin a prayer time say to Jesus, ‘Lord, let the real me encounter the real you.’” God wants us to meet him as we are, not just with the parts of us we like or think he’ll like!
The Scriptures are full of broken, confused, scandalous people who humble themselves and cry out to God. Each time, the Lord hears, acknowledges, heals, strengthens and purifies. God honors authenticity, not show. You can’t confuse him or pull the wool over his eyes. Don’t worry about crafting the perfect prayer, just start praying. Don’t wait to run to him.
The prodigal son thought he had a solid plan and speech prepared to try to restore his father’s love. However, the father wasn’t interested in the son’s crafted opening remarks because he was too overwhelmed by the joy of having him back! The father’s cloak covers and removes the grime of the son’s sinful past, and the true identity of the son is confirmed by the father’s embrace. Can you imagine the conversations they must have had during the feast that followed?
God never shames us. He convicts us so that we turn to him and he can transform us. Next time you pray, try being brutally honest with God; hold nothing back. Honestly, it’s the best.
* Pete Burak the vice president of Renewal Ministries. He has a master's degree in theology, and is a frequent speaker at events for youth and young adults. Pete and his family are parishioners at Christ the King in Ann Arbor.