A Two-Word Prayer

I’m glad God doesn’t care if our prayers are eloquent. Frankly, sometimes I’m too tired to utter beautifully composed words. Sometimes I’m too perplexed to know even what words to use. The best I can muster is “Lord, help!”

The Israelites often felt the same way. Check it out:

• Psalm 107:4-7 – “Some wandered in the desert, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.”
• Psalm 107:10-14 – “Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, miserable prisoners in chains. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. That is why he broke them with hard labor; they fell, and no one helped them rise again. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains.”
• Psalm 107:17-20 – “Some were fools in their rebellion; they suffered for their sins. Their appetites were gone, and death was near. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He spoke, and they were healed – snatched from the door of death.”
• Psalm 107:23-30 – “Some went off in ships, plying the trade routes of the world. They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action, his impressive works on the deepest seas. He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and sank again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”

The people cried, “Lord, help!” Their words were neither poetic nor well planned. They were a simple plea, an acknowledgement of their need for God. How did He respond? He rushed to their rescue and met them at their deepest point of need. He led the lost and homeless to a city where they could live. He set the prisoners free. He saved those who were suffering consequences for their sins. And for those struggling to survive a storm, He stilled the waves and brought them safely to the harbor.

“Lord, help!” – two words that set almighty God to action on behalf of those who acknowledge their need for Him. Amazing, isn’t it?