I am also reminded of a childhood of growing up in the church. There was a man in our church that was a LONG pray-er. The kids (and grownups) dreaded it when the pastor would ask him to pray…especially if we were standing up. An eternity seemed to pass by while this man preach-prayed, lamented and blessed everyone he could think of during his prayers.

After a long sermon, with our stomach’s growling, I remember praying myself, “Please God, not today, do not let our pastor call on Brother Tom to pray.” “I am so hungry!” (I was very young.) Pa-leeeeease, Lord, let your people go…home.” God did not answer that selfish prayer that day. Or did He?  After the last song was sung and I’m beginning to smell Grandma’s fried chicken in my mind, just waiting for us, at her farmhouse, satisfied that God would answer my prayer, Brother Tom was called on to pray. What?!

I actually began to listen, in my frustration, at this man’s soulful praying. It sounded pretty much like the Psalmist’s prayer, as I think about it today. Looking back, I remember now in my adult thinking, that this man was a former pastor with hurts in his family life. He had words from God that healed and blessed in his laments. He literally cried out to God in portions of his prayer. This was a man who was honest with God and blessed others as he prayed…”bless the lowly janitor who cleans the church every week”…see, I remember.

So, even though it takes some of us a little longer to express ourselves to God…and to others, we should patiently listen for honesty more than anything else. God does.

Dear Heavenly Father, Cleanse me. Help me to lay down all pretense and just be honest with You…and with myself. I will grow and mature at a better pace when I do. Renew a right spirit within me. And lead me on, moving forward from childhood and childishness to childlike, eternal faith in You. You are my everything! I know Brother Tom is now with you, tell him thank you for me. In Jesus Name, Amen