Our Prayers Don’t Have to be Long to be Heard
Short prayers like—“Help!”—whispered or cried from a heart desperate for God’s provision or intervention can stir Him to answer.
What’s prayer, anyway? I like J. I. Packer’s definition.
“The prayer of a Christian is not an attempt to force God’s hand, but a humble acknowledgement of helplessness and dependence.”
Prayer takes different forms. Sometimes it’s liturgical and recited aloud in a formal church setting. Sometimes it’s private, penned in one’s journal for only the author to see. Prayer might follow a formula such as ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), or it might be a simple one word—“Help!”
Psalm 107:1-43 contains four instances where people prayed using only the word, “Help!” Here’s one example:
“Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.” (Psalm 107:4-9)
God hears short prayers
Our prayers don’t have to be long to be heard. Short ones like–“Help!”–whispered or cried from a heart desperate for God’s provision or intervention can stir Him to answer.
Cry, “Help!
Never hesitate to pray because you think your words don’t sound spiritual enough
Who’s to say what “spiritual enough” is, anyway? God’s most concerned about our heart attitude than how many words we use or how eloquent they sound. Prayer is our way to show Him that we understand our need for Him, and we want and welcome His involvement in our lives.
How can I pray for you today?
Let me know in the comments below.
Know you are loved,
Grace
