One-Word Prayer

I’m still learning to pray. I go through seasons of life where I pray more often than other seasons. A couple of years ago, my youngest son almost died when he fell over 40 feet from a tree. I remember clearly going to the tree where the accident occurred and putting my hand on the trunk of that sweet gum tree and thanking God profoundly for protecting my son and allowing him to live. He has been air-lifted to Atlanta for Trauma care and he literally walked out of the hospital the next day missing 5 teeth, stitched up lip, minor fractures in his back and lots of bruises. It blows my mind that he fell that far with very minor injuries. I started cultivating a thankful heart ever since. I’m a bit embarrassed that I haven’t been more grateful in my past. My middle son defeated cancer thanks to the Lord and hundreds of doctors and staff along with incredible science and technology. I have so very much to be thankful for. If I just stop and look back every now and then, it shapes my prayers of gratitude.

King David was a prayer warrior. He prayed to God often. He sang songs of gratitude. I believe that he also made use of the one-word prayer. Check this out….

¹ I come to you for protection, O Lord my God.
    Save me from my persecutors—rescue me!

For you look deep within the mind and heart,
    O righteous God.

¹⁰ God is my shield,
    saving those whose hearts are true and right.
¹¹ God is an honest judge.
    He is angry with the wicked every day.

¹⁷ I will thank the Lord because he is just;
    I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.(Psalm 7:1,9b-11,17 NLT)

The Lord is ok with my one-word prayer. I remember using this one-word prayer about 20 years ago on a white-water rafting trip. I was thrown from the raft and was being pushed down stream quickly.  I had been trained how to respond if this happened. I had the proper equipment for protection. I was rescued by another boat. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the desperate feeling and how beat down I was from the current of the water.

The one-word prayer I’m speaking of is the word: “Help!”. I believe that this word can be the opening line to any prayer and it calls upon the Lord’s attention. I’ve used this prayers in moments of desperation. I’m learning that I really need to implement this one-word prayer every day of my life. I need His help every morning, throughout my day and certainly as I lay down to rest. I need His help protecting and providing. I have committed to being thankful and getting His help developing a huge heart of gratitude for all that He has done and is doing to help me.

I’m so thankful for His help. I’m thankful for His Presence and Patience with me as I learn that I always need His help. He answers my one-word prayer because He is always with me and knows what I need even before I ask.

Pressing On!

Dwayne