Hidden Canyons

On this night, I am pondering a prayer that I have just read. It is from a book of prayers by Steven James. The title of the book is "A Heart Exposed...Talking to God with Nothing to Hide". A friend sent it to me just days ago. Thank you, Sara. I want to share the prayer that is piercing my soul tonight:

When I actually take the time to look,

I see You've formed thousands of deep rivers

in the hidden canyons of my soul.

But for some reason, when I approach You,

I so often dip my prayers from

such shallow muddy pools instead.

Today, I drop all the religious-sounding platitudes,

the inane repetitions,

and the safe, comfortable shiny prayers

that I typically offer you.

Today I bring you

the rough-cut boulders of my heart.

Here are my nagging questions,

my disquieting loves,

my troubling secrets,

and my very human needs.

I give them all to you today,

no holding back,

no playing it safe.

Here are my unfulfilled longings,

my unmet demands,

my deeply rooted disappointments,

and the things I fear, but pretend to control.

Here, for you, O Savior,

I offer my unquenchable worship,

my wordless groans,

my deepest needs.

No more veneer.

Simply thoughts of pain,

of regret,

of hope,

of You.

Today, I give you the rushing,

tumbling waters of myself.