Permission to speak freely, God!

Look folks ... this article is likely to be controversial. Let me have your views. You can write to www.holyvisions.co.uk if you wish, or leave a comment below.

Many people approach God with fear and trepidation as if addressing a superior officer or an omnipotent monster who is likely to get angry and destroy them at a moment's notice. I feel this is wrong.

We should speak to God with respect and reverence, not in dread for our lives and well-being.

I think there's nothing wrong with saying to God, "Permission to speak freely ..."

And then telling Him, politely, how you feel. Telling Him that you don't feel like praying right now.

There are people who spend hours praying, reciting the Rosary or whatever, and no doubt giving God a headache. It is all right to tell Him you don't feel like long prayers right now and to thank Him for things as they are.

It is also all right to tell God that you feel disheartened, discouraged, abandoned, alone and afraid. There are many people with problems and difficulties right now. Perhaps medical issues, financial matters or whatever else. Me included. We pray and we get discouraged. Why not tell God about it? Why not tell Him precisely how we feel? He knows anyway.

It is OK to share our frustration and anger even. He can take it. He took all our anger when hanging there on the Cross. 

When doubts overwhelm you, tell Him precisely what you are concerned about and how it is affecting your faith and your trust in Him.

He will understand and will hear your prayers from the heart. Honest prayers. Polite prayers.

Who do you think God would rather have in Heaven? Someone who is there because he is afraid of going to hell? Who has gone through life in fear of God and always on his knees? Or someone who has tried his best to love and obey God but has failed often, and fallen many times, and has always persevered and kept going on?

Personally, I think God wants both of these in Heaven, because He loves all His creations. But He appreciates that some of us fail often, and try again and again.

When, like me, you feel very low in life, tell God about it. Tell it as it is. Tell Him that you're out of your mind with worries, pain, uncertainties, or whatever else is troubling you. Tell Him to come to your aid.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you." (John 16:23)

"Trust [Believe] in God, and trust [believe] in me" (John 14:1)

Jesus said, "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 'Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:7-15).