We need to understand that God doesn’t expect us to pray perfectly. In fact, it’s okay to pray badly -- and we need to get better at praying badly. From a psychological perspective, we need to take risks in prayer to deepen our relationship with God.

“And you taught your people, by these deeds,

that those who are just must be kind;

and you gave your children good ground for hope

that you would permit repentance for their sins.”

“You, O LORD, are good and forgiving,

abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.”

“The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness;

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.”

“While everyone was asleep his enemy came

and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off.

When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well.

The slaves of the householder came to him and said,

‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?

Where have the weeds come from?’

He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’”

G.K. Chesterton says, “If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly,” which is counter to the world’s message that we have to do things perfectly. This can lead to us being afraid or to avoid trying things, especially in prayer.

Think about how a good father helps a child to learn to talk. He works to understand what the toddler is trying to say, help him with grammar and diction, and helps him put his needs and thoughts into the right words. We are to be like little children with God. He promises us in this week’s readings that He will help us.

Remember that prayer is all about relationship with God. He looks at me; I look at Him. Many of us may get wrapped up the perfect form of prayer. God wants a relationship with us; not a perfect performance of prayer.

The translation of “weed” in this week’s gospel is actually Darnel ryegrass, which looks a lot like wheat, gets impossibly tangled with wheat, and can host a poisonous microbe that can cause hallucinations. The only main, recognizable difference is the fruit: the seed of wheat is brown while the seed of Darnel ryegrass is black

Just like some people in the world, it looks good and perhaps holy on the outside, but has poisonous fruit. However, God assures us that He will take care of it in the end. Our job is to do the best we can. We can pray badly; He will compensate for us. He’s only asking that our hearts are in the right place; He will do the rest.

This week, try one new thing in your prayer that you think might bring you into a deeper relationship with God. It might be singing a hymn badly. It might be having a heart-to-heart discussion about something important; maybe you can’t express your fear, anxiety or worry in the right words, but try. Recognize how God helps you in the effort.