Anne Lamott says that there are essentially three prayers; help, thanks, and wow. My heart was singing “wow” the other day when my six-year old grandson quietly shared that he had prayed, “help.”
My little buddy left for school that morning very anxious about something that is vitally important to him and it was having a major impact on his ability to enjoy life. If you are guessing that he was worried about math homework, whether or not his clothes matched, or how he could improve his conduct grade, you are pretty far off track. He was distressed about a computer game. His older sister had logged on to his game, made a wrong move, and lost “five hours’ worth of work.” As you know, five hours is a long time to a six-year old and if it was spent “working,” well, all the more reason for distress. That is until he prayed.
When we picked him from school, his Mom asked him how his day had gone; he smiled and said, “It was good. You know how I was all worried about that game? Well, I just prayed about it. I don’t know why I did. I just did.” And that was that. No mention about the “peace that passes understanding” or anything else biblical but the clear implication was that asking the Lord for a little help had lightened the load a good bit.
Ok, I know what you are thinking so here are the rules: you can only laugh at that if you have never prayed for your team to win, a putt to go in, a good parking place, or for a painless shot at the doctor’s office. All the rest of you deep theologians may laugh away… at a little boy… who opened his heart to God.
Me? I smiled and breathed a “Wow.”
So let’s review. He was “very anxious about something that is vitally important to him and it was having a major impact on his ability to enjoy life.” I’m not much into computer games and it’s been a long time since I prayed for my team to win, a putt to go in, or for a parking place (maybe not so long for that painless shot) but I am familiar with anxiety that can inhibit my ability to enjoy life. It comes from grief, fear, disease, addictions, broken relationships, and human suffering. You know, big boy stuff. So my plan is to try very hard to be like my six-year-old mentor and remember to pray when I’m in the midst of such.
I suppose you know the line that precedes, “the peace that passes understanding” says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer… let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Anything. Everything.
I’m not talking about giving God a to do list. I am pretty sure that “fix this,” and “do that” aren’t very good prayers. On the other hand, it’s been my experience that “help me remember that you are with me,” “heal my broken heart,” and “give me strength to face this with courage and love,” bring clarity to the situation.
Sometimes when I pray those prayers I hear the loving response, “Don’t be afraid, I am here. Be still and know that I am God.” Then I remember with Julian of Norwich that the promise is not that we will avoid pain, the promise is that all shall be well.
Still, five hours is a long time to a little boy so we were pretty pleased to discover that he could resume the game right where he left off. No harm, no foul big Sis. Yay! And they lived happily ever after. Pretty much.
So I guess that covers it. “Help,” said my little buddy. “Wow,” said his Granddaddy. Oh, and “Thanks.” Thanks for little boys that walk with Christ.
Did I mention wow?