Hide and Seek

I have been thinking about this since we discussed it in my Sunday School class. As Christians, we should be praying for, and helping each other. But, how can you do that when you have no idea what struggles others are facing? Everybody sits in church on Sunday with their mask firmly in place--"Everything is wonderful in my life and I am so happy to be here to learn about God in a nice, generic way". When actually almost everyone there is fighting a battle against Satan in some way. But we can't admit that because we may be judged. Not sincerely prayed for, but judged. I realize there are many people there who would actually have a genuine concern and love for the one who is struggling. But there are enough of the others there to prevent us from speaking out. The prayer requests are all for healing, or safety, or government, which is all certainly worthy of prayer. But we are not praying for each other! Why can't I request prayer for my struggle to eliminate the sins that entangle me, or the man behind me request prayer for his alcohol addiction, or the teenager who is being pressured by a boyfriend and our culture. We only find that kind of sharing of needs in small groups where the members have become confident that they can trust the others.
It is not just the church I attend now that I am talking about. I'm sure it is this way in just about every church you could find. And I know how devastating the judging and rumors can be. I've been in a church that was torn apart by that. And after being wounded it makes it even harder to share the problems you face.
Do I have a solution? No. I just wonder what impact Christians and the church would have on each other and the world if we truly shared and prayed with each other and left the gossip and judging at the door.
And, no, I am not brave enough to share my struggles.

UPDATE: This was in my e-mail this morning.
"It was so hard for me to learn to let my guard down. It was like I had this shell. I acted nice and polite, but people didn't know the real me."
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: I think that one of the reasons so many people live with chronic loneliness is that they're not willing to die. Jesus said, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." Of course, He was talking about His own death and resurrection. But in these words, I think we can also learn something about our relationships.
If we're constantly trying to protect our pride, we're going to be lonely. When we hold tight to the hard, outer shell called self, no one can get close. But the true path to intimacy is humility. It means dying to our own reputation, our own rights, and our own ways of doing things.
Being willing to humble yourself will transform your relationships with others.
With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.