Your Aligned Heart: What Happens When You PrayExemplo

Claire’s Story – Prayer Circles and Wringing Hands

God, let's do this quickly. You know I’m uncomfortable praying. I struggle to find the right words when I’m talking to You. I second-guess each word I say. I hear how You’re safe and I read how You love me just as I am, but I can’t help comparing myself to my friends as they pray aloud. 

I feel like a child stumbling over my words, nervous that my simple prayers don’t convey enough depth, at least not the depth of love my friends seem to feel toward You. Oh, they share such beautiful prayers aloud to You! Do You know I love You, too? Are my simple prayers, the ones in my head, getting through? 

It is confusing, really, to think about how You know all about me and yet You invite me to talk to You. It seems that You want a relationship where words convey more than words, a connection of the heart and mind between God and daughter, father and child. I fear I don’t know how to find the perfect words. I fear I can’t hold up my side of the bargain. 

I want to learn how to relate to You like the women in my prayer group do. I am envious of their relationships with You. I want that kind of relationship too, I think. 

I feel pretty alone here, even in this group of friends. Can You hear my heart speak these words to You now? I can’t say this out loud, but . . .