Trying to build a prayer life can be difficult—whether you don’t know how to pray or you don’t feel like praying. So we’re here to help you connect with God with simple prayers for the everyday. 

How Can I Be Myself?

Written by Allan Castro, College of Biblical Studies

Nobody likes to be unliked. Human nature desires acceptance from others.  

People question their personalities in the face of dislike or rejection.  Life can be like one big middle school playground. Adults trying to fit in with adults; insecure about what others might think of them. 

We examine each other by careers, appearance, or status. So… we often do everything possible to present the best version of ourselves.

But trying to be the “best” may come with compromise. We aren’t comfortable showing our true personalities around others, so we become someone we’re not.

Sometimes people flock to a particular crowd for a sense of identity. We’re more concerned with saying the “right” things than speaking what’s on our minds and hearts. We hide our quirks so as not to seem awkward or outlandish.

Yet, the search for worldly validation won’t be found… Or, at least, it won’t last. We might find we never quite fit, we’re never cool enough, and we miss out on things everyone else seems to be in on… 

But you don’t need to be like the world. And, you don’t need to be like anyone else (except Jesus himself!). God made us unique, special, and one-of-a-kind. There’s no one like you. You’re designed with God’s wonderful creativity. Your style and personality are God’s special design.

There’s no need to hide your quirks, mask your personality, or try to fit in rather than be authentic. Be you.

If you’re having a hard time believing this, here’s a prayer to try.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

A Prayer for Authenticity

Lord and Maker, thank you for designing me unique in nature and with creativity. Jesus, you ate dinner with strangers, couch-surfed, and befriended the abandoned without worrying about what others thought of you. You know how it feels to be accepted and rejected. Give me a heart that isn’t concerned with fitting in or finding validation but with doing good. Help me to express myself and live into who you made me to be. Fill me with your acceptance and love that inspires me to be my authentic self. Amen.

At some point, everyone feels that they don’t know how to pray, feel free to visit this page for more everyday prayers to explore how you can connect with God in the ordinary, extraordinary, everyday moments of life!