Imperfect Prayers to a Perfect God

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

How often have we felt our prayers inadequate? How many times have we held back our heart’s cry in a group for fear of being misunderstood? What is our response to the scriptures that remind us repeatedly to  pray always?

I remember my earliest exposure to prayer. It was formal, stiff, ethereal. In a word impersonal.

I never witnessed nor experienced prayer in my formative years in a personal and up close way. Prayer was for the pious, and quite honestly, I didn’t know any truly pious people.

I recall the times I shared with a friend who modeled prayer for me, in a way that God used to woo and mold me in my own praying life. We shared a few meals together and each time, this friend would pray a simple prayer. I don’t remember the words, only my own quiet observation of this holy practice which stirred within me a desire for something which I yearned. I always had to peek in those days, and I am grateful that my friend never caught me! But God knew I needed to see, my faith was yet small and I relied on that which I could see while yearning for that which was unseen.

In those early days, I could not pray out loud, my words lacked and my faith was new, even unknown to me. It was as if I had to grow into this gift of faith that God had planted. Over time as I learned to talk with God about everything I began to grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior. You could say that things got personal.

As I immersed myself more in the Word than the world, my prayers began to take shape. As did my relationship, intimacy and prayer life with God.

I have learned one thing over time about prayer and it is this, God doesn’t ask or expect our words to be perfect but only that we trust in the One who is perfect to be perfect in us. It is because of Jesus perfection  and sacrifice that we can offer up our imperfect prayers to the One Perfect God as an offering knowing He accepts them.

Lord, the day is at hand and I’m trusting your plan;

 In my heart can you place your wisdom and grace?

I ask you this day, for your presence to stay.

Lead me in your way, faithfully.

I thank you that you will,

I thank you that you do.

Amen.

3 Responses to Imperfect Prayers to a Perfect God
  1. susie Klein
    January 27, 2015 | 10:19 am

    Dawn, this is perfect, just perfect. Thank you for demystifying prayer so beautifully and clearly.

  2. Suzie Jackson
    January 29, 2015 | 8:59 pm

    Amen! Amen! You always bless my heart with your words of wisdom Dawn!

  3. Terri Bradley
    February 1, 2015 | 11:43 am

    Beautifully written….. So many times prayer can seem to be a mystical mystery to many. While all along it is just a conversation with God our father, Papa, Daddy. If we look at him on those terms then perhaps it would be easier to approach him. If we had the revelation on how much he loved us my giving his son so we could be adopted as a dear daughter or son then we would not hesitate to start up, “a conversation of prayer”. He longs and waits for us to reach out. Thanks for sharing your experience and how prayer in the simplest terms can help to increase our faith.