One Sunday, my pastor said something to the effect that he spends a lot of his time in prayer telling God about his worries. I know the feeling. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I briefly give thanks and then start unloading my worries about the distressing things I hear in the news. I pray for people who are being deceived. I pray for justice. I pray that the wicked will be held to account. Night after night, I pray about my worries.
My pastor’s comment gave me pause. Should I unload my worries on God when I know that I should not be anxious about anything?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Sometimes when I pray about my worries, it sounds as if I am ‘splainin’ to God all the terrible things that are happening in this world. Why do I feel the need to tell God what He already knows? He knows there is injustice. He knows the wicked are getting away with corruption and deception. He knows people are suffering. He knows people are hurting. He knows, He knows.
He knows He knows Every hurt and every sting He has walked the suffering He knows He knows Let your burdens come undone Lift your eyes up to the one Who knows He knows -- Jeremy Camp
Thankfully, we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. When we pray about the things that trouble us, we take our worries exactly where we should – to the Lord. Jesus wants to lighten our burdens. He wants to bring us peace.
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Truly it is a privilege to have a faithful friend like Jesus. We can take everything to the Lord in prayer – all our sorrows, worries, struggles – everything.
Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing the weight of my sins, for sharing the burden of my daily struggles, and for giving me the peace that surpasses all understanding. You know my every weakness and I confess that I need to be more disciplined about prayer. There is trouble everywhere.
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Innermost Being 
Yes, God knows and, because Jesus lived among us, He also understands. Telling our Father our problems and worries is not a bad thing. ONLY telling our Father our problems and worries might be. At some point, even if it as our head hits the pillow, we need to remember to give thanks–thanks that He knows, thanks that He understands, thanks that He’s got this all in the palm of His hand!
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This self-reflection made me realize that I need to pray for many people and about many issues and to devote time for prayer when I am not tired.
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I’m happy to hear you have a time when you’re NOT tired! 😁
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I used to begin praying by unloadjng all of my worries, concerns, and burdens every day, twice a day…and then I read a book called, Prayer by E. G. White. I learned to pray differently by thanking God first. By the time I finished with my list of things that I was thankful for, I felt blessed. I still pray for others and the condition of our world, but, I no longer feel burdened down. I know that my life is in His hands and everything in this world belongs to him. Praying for you Sister. Be blessed…Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
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Thanks for the book recommendation!
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