“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart” (Psalm 51:6).

In 1992 a movie came out called “A Few Good Men.” It’s been a while since I saw it, so there are a lot of parts I don’t remember. But one line stood out, and it continues to be quoted widely.

In response to a request by a lawyer for the truth, Jack Nicholson’s character famously bellowed: “You can’t handle the truth!”

The reason I quote that today is because it’s an attitude we sometimes bring to prayer. It’s as if we don’t think God can handle the truth about our lives and thoughts. We speak in vague terms and generalities. It’s as if we are trying to hide our inner feelings, ponderings, and even sins, from God—even though nothing in all creation is hidden from his sight (Hebrews 4:13). 

After they had sinned, Adam and Eve hid from God—as if he wouldn’t be able to track them down. They were afraid (Genesis 3). In prayer, when we keep God at a distance, and when we don’t tell him our sins, and when we make excuses, aren’t we kind of doing a similar thing?

I’d like to encourage you to be painfully honest with God in prayer—about your thoughts, your sins, your struggles, your hopes and dreams, your frustrations. 

God can handle the truth. 

I think that what you’ll find is a loving Father who wants to help, is eager to forgive, and who will lead you forward in the footsteps of a Good Shepherd.

When we pray, let’s come out of hiding, and into the grace of the only One who can truly help.

Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.