Pope Francis says even complaints to the Lord are forms of prayer

Complain to the Lord, this is good.'

During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis greeted thousands of pilgrims before watching - and participating in a performance from Italy's Golden Circus.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - One of the topics the pontiff chose to share was the story of Abraham and how he complained to the Lord - but God heard because even a complaint can be a form of prayer.

"I won't say that Abraham loses patience, but he complains to the Lord," Pope Francis explained. "This is what we learn from our father Abraham: complaining to the Lord is a form of prayer.

"Sometimes I hear confessions where people say, 'I complained to the Lord,' But no. [Continue] to complain; he is a father, and this is a form of prayer. Complain to the Lord; this is good."

God will always answer our prayers - even if those prayers come in the form of a complaint. It is better to speak to the Lord from the heart than it is to complain but either way He hears us. Just have hope, and soon your complaints will turn into soft entreaties.

On hope, the pontiff explained "Hope opens new horizons; it makes us able to dream that which isn't imaginable. Hope makes us enter into the darkness of an uncertain future to talk in the light."

For Abraham, hope - and faith - helped him walk from his homeland with his wife, Sarah. The couple had hope after the Lord promised them a son. Through this hope, Abraham was able to "go beyond human reason, and worldly wisdom and prudence" to have hope in the impossible.

Abraham may not have stood strong the entire time - he doubted at times - but his hope and faith were renewed by a simple prayer.

Faith is not mindless belief - it is not a "certainty that secures us from doubt and perplexity," it allows us "to argue with God and show him our bitterness without 'pious pretenses.'"

Pope Francis further explained Abraham's story, saying: "'I became angry with God, I told him this, and that.' But he is a father, and he understands you; go in peace. You must have this courage. This is hope.

"To believe, it is necessary to know how to see with the eyes of faith; we all may [look up and] only see stars, but for Abraham, they become a sign of God's faithfulness. Hope never disappoints."

Following the final 2016 general audience, Italy's Golden Circus performed for the Pope and thousands of pilgrim.

At one point, the pontiff was even asked to participate when an illusionist made it appear a nightstand was levitating between them.

With the new year just around the corner, Pope Francis and Italy's Golden Circus closed the year's final general audience with a bang.

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