Matthew 26:39, "Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.'" Psalm 42:11, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again - my Savior and my God!"

Think

Vulnerability tends to get a bad rap. In many situations, it's seen as weakness. However, when God is involved, what we perceive as weakness is precisely what gives us strength. You see, pouring our hearts out to God from a posture of vulnerability ushers in intimacy as we draw closer to Him. He is our strength. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus expressed utter vulnerability. He prayed, knowing full well that He was about to endure torture, humiliation, death on the cross, and total separation from the Father. Although we'll never truly know what Jesus experienced, we can follow His example by pouring our hearts out to God in prayer. We don't have to be afraid to share our secrets. Nothing we say surprises Him. As we pray, He ushers in healing, comfort, and guidance that only He can bring into our lives. And here's what's great: God's peace and strength is just a prayer away! Be vulnerable, pour your heart out, and, listen for His voice - He has great things to say and great strength to give.

Act

The book of Psalms is sometimes called "the prayer book of God's people." A great way to practice utter vulnerability before God is to pray through various psalms and personalize them. The following chapters are a good place to start: 4,32, 42, 55, 69, 116, and 119.

Pray

Dear Lord, I know that I'm only as sick as my secrets. Today, I open my heart to You and lay bare my innermost thoughts. I know it's there that I'll find the healing, comfort, and direction that I seek. In Jesus' name, Amen.