I like it when complex theology
is boiled down
to simple truth.

According to author Elizabeth Goudge,
there are three necessary prayers
and they have three words each:
Lord, have mercy.
Thee I adore.
Into Thy hands.

Still not basic enough?

According to author Anne Lamott,
there are three essential prayers
and they are three words:
Help.
Thanks.
Wow.

Of these three prayers,
I tend to use one most often.
Help.

As a parent, I loved hearing the words “Thanks mom!”
On occasion I even got a “Wow!” — usually when baking cookies.
But the thing that got my attention quickest
and caused my heart to beat hardest
and made me run fastest
was when my child yelled,
“Help!”

The Psalm writers seemed to use that prayer a lot, too.

“Arise to help me.” Ps. 59:4
“I am worn out calling for help.” Ps. 69:3
“Come quickly, Lord, to help me.” Ps. 70:1
“I cried out to God for help.” Ps. 77:1
“Help me, Lord my God, according to your unfailing love.” Ps. 109:26

The Psalm writers also seemed to get answers to that prayer.

“You are my help and deliverer.” Ps. 70:5
“You, Lord, have helped me.” Ps. 86:17
“The Lord is my helper.” Ps. 118:7
“My help comes from the Lord.” Ps. 121:2
“I would have died unless the Lord had helped me.” Ps. 94:17

Wow, am I ever thankful we have a Father who runs
when He hears His children call for help.
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”
Ps. 46:1

The great theologians, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, put it this way:
“Help me if you can, I’m feeling down.
And I do appreciate you being ’round.
Help me get my feet back on the ground.
Won’t you please, please help me?”

My favorite word in the Bible that starts with H is HELP.