On Learning To Pray
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“Cast all your anxiety on God because God cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
• • •
Let’s begin by checking in with one another. How are you doing? How are you processing all that is happening in the world?
I am mostly grounded and centered, with a few days of freaking out about climate change, the state of democracy, the rule of law, authoritarianism, and fracturing global relations thrown in.
In most conversations I have had with people recently, I immediately pick up on a sense of anticipatory dread for our future. The headlines, the uncertainty, the weight of personal struggles—it’s all so heavy. The stress wreaks havoc on our nervous systems. It makes us want to hide, get angry, cry, or quit. I get it. I feel it, too.
In moments like these, I’m reminded of a simple, profound prayer practice shared by Episcopal priest and activist Adam Bucko, inspired by a rabbi who lived and worked among the darkest shadows of Manhattan.
The Rabbi taught: “When you pray, talk to God just as if you were talking to your best friend. Tell the Holy One everything. Especially dedicate specific times each day when you tell God about all your worries, all your hurts, all your problems. Take off your mask and just speak. If you do that, if you really let your whole essence speak to God like that, some days there will be a lot of tears. But that’s a good thing. And when you are done telling God about your hurts, … just silently rest in God, letting God hold you.”
What I love about this practice is how real it is. There’s no formula, no fancy words, no pretending to have it all together. It’s just you and God, raw and honest, sharing everything—the frustrations, the fears, the hopes, the doubts. Some days, it might feel like you’re pouring out your heart in tears. Other days, you may simply sit in silence, letting Love’s presence hold you like a warm embrace. Either way, you’re connecting with the One who knows you fully and loves you completely.
This kind of prayer reminds us that we don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone. We can share it, piece by piece, with the One who is big enough to hold it all. And when we do, something beautiful happens. We find ourselves being “loved into newness,” as Bucko describes it—being reminded that we are beloved children of God, deeply known, and never forgotten.
From this place of prayer, we can move through our days differently. Knowing we are held, we can practice joy, even in the midst of chaos. Knowing we are loved, we can stand against injustice with courage, because we are not walking this journey alone. Prayer doesn’t erase the challenges, but it changes how we carry them. It transforms our hearts, grounding us in the sacred truth that we are deeply, unshakably loved.
So today, let’s take a moment to talk with God—honestly, openly, as we are. Let’s share our hurts, our fears, and our joys, and then rest in the arms of the Holy One who holds us in love.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What would it look like to approach prayer as an honest conversation with God, your closest friend?
How might sharing your burdens with God change how you carry them?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Honest Connection
Loving God,
You know us better than we know ourselves.
Teach us to come to You with open hearts,
To share our fears, our hurts, and our hopes without pretense.
Hold us in Your love when words fail us,
And remind us that we are Your beloved children.
Let Your presence renew us,
Filling us with the courage to face each day with joy and faith.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Honest Prayer
Set aside 10 minutes this morning for this simple practice:
Speak to God: Sit quietly and talk to God as you would to a trusted friend. Share your plans, your struggles, your joys, and your fears. Let it all out, without worrying about the “right” words.
Rest in God: When you’ve said everything you need to express, sit in silence. Imagine yourself being lovingly held by the One who has your highest intentions at heart, resting in divine love and care.
Carry Joy: As you move through your day, remind yourself of this truth: You are God’s beloved child, and you are never alone. Let this awareness shape how you interact with the world.
Let this practice remind you that prayer isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection—being known, loved, and held by the One who is always with you.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
January 12, 2025, 3-4:30pm ET - Join me for a FREE conversation on “Progressive Islam – Universal Values vs. the Politics of Human Rights – What’s the Difference Between a Progressive Muslim and Other Muslims?” with Ani Zonneveld. Register here.
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
Recently, I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.