Praying with Confidence

Have you ever held back from praying because you felt you weren’t good enough? Maybe you thought, “I don’t even know what to say” or wondered, “Why would God listen to me?”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with prayer because they believe it requires the right words, the right mood, or a spotless track record. But prayer isn’t about being polished or perfect. It’s about being real with God.

In this post, we’ll look at two powerful truths that can change your prayer life: coming to God with confidence, and speaking to Him with honesty.

Come With Confidence

The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Notice what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say, “Come if you’ve had a perfect week.” It doesn’t say, “Come only if you’ve got the right words.” It simply says, “Come with confidence.”

Why? Because you’re not approaching a cold judge waiting to condemn you. You’re approaching a loving Father who delights in hearing from His children.

When you pray, you don’t need to crawl in timidly. You can walk right up to Him, just like a child runs to their dad. That’s what prayer is about — not performance, but grace.

Be Honest With God

The second truth is just as important. Psalm 62:8 says, “Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”

That means you don’t need to sugar-coat your prayers. You don’t have to hide your fear, anger, doubts, or tears. You can be straightforward with God.

Tell Him what’s really going on: “Lord, I’m scared.” Or “God, I don’t understand.” Even “Father, I’m angry.”

He already knows your heart. He’s not shocked, and He’s not offended. What He wants is honesty — because honesty builds trust.

Why Confidence and Honesty Go Together

Think about it. Confidence without honesty can turn into arrogance. Honesty without confidence can feel like fear.

But when you bring both together, you find the sweet spot.

• Confidence says, “I know God loves me, and I can come close.”

• Honesty says, “Here’s what’s really in my heart.”

That’s what real prayer looks like — not a performance, not a ritual, but a relationship.

A Story of Honest Prayer

I once spoke to a bloke who told me, “Ken, I don’t pray much because I don’t want to say the wrong thing.”

I simply said, “Mate, if you can talk to me honestly, you can talk to God. Just say what’s in your heart.”

The next week he came back and said, “I tried it. I just told God everything I was worried about. No fancy words. And you know what? I felt lighter, like I’d put the weight down.”

That’s the power of honest prayer.

Why We Struggle With Confidence

Here’s the truth. A lot of us struggle with confidence in prayer because we feel unworthy. We remember our mistakes and wonder, “Why would God listen to me?”

But Hebrews 4:16 reminds us it’s not about our worthiness. It’s about Jesus. He’s the reason we can come boldly. He’s the reason we can stand before God without fear.

Your confidence isn’t in yourself — it’s in Him.

Putting It Into Practice

So, how do you pray with confidence and honesty?

• Come boldly. Don’t shrink back. Say, “Lord, I know You welcome me.”

• Be honest. Tell Him exactly what’s on your heart. No filters, no acting.

That’s it. Boldness + honesty.

What Happens When You Pray This Way

When you pray with both confidence and honesty, two powerful things happen:

1. You find peace. Pretending stops. The burden is handed over, and you can breathe again.

2. You find strength. God’s mercy and grace meet you right where you are. You walk away lighter, no longer carrying the weight alone.

Wrapping It Up

So here’s the reminder.

• Come boldly. God isn’t pushing you away. He’s welcoming you.

• Be honest. Don’t hold back. Pour out your heart.

That’s how you pray when you need help. Not complicated. Just real.

Final Encouragement

This week, if you feel like holding back from prayer, remember this: God’s throne is a throne of grace — not judgment.

Come with confidence. Be honest. Trust that your Father hears you. And discover the peace and strength that come when you pray this way.