The Value of Short Prayers
by Candyce Carden
The third surgery to repair my daughter’s cerebrospinal fluid leak didn’t work either. This time, we were a thousand miles from home at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. My daughter lay prone in her bed, crying. Her dad walked the halls of the neuro unit. Prayer had always been my lifeline, but reeling emotions prevented even one coherent sentence.
I was broken.
Sitting in heartache,
Reaching for God,
Hold me, heal me, never let me go.
(October, 2005)
The nurses mentioned a chapel service that evening, which we attended. Hurting souls gathered in the semi-darkness of the chapel, desperate for peace and consolation. listening to a prelude of organ music. I pulled a pamphlet from the pew. Titled “How to Pray Through Difficult Times” it addressed my very need.
“When in the state of being unable to pray,” the advice read, “choose a simple sentence prayer and repeat it again and again.” The brochure then offered a few suggestions.
Help Us, Father
“Help us, Father” became my plea. Over and over, praying unceasingly through the night, I implored God to help us. And as I prayed, I experienced a keen awareness of God’s presence. I sensed His nearness.
And I realized something. We don’t pray to gain God’s attention—we already have that—we pray to attune ourselves to His presence. And when we’re with Him, He calms our fears, influences our thoughts, and gives us hope.
The Value of Short Prayer
This short prayer led me to peace and changed my mindset. But short prayers can do even more. Missionary Amy Carmichael tells of a prayer she learned from a mentor who admitted to once being irritable and short-tempered—a sin he worked to overcome. At the moment of temptation, he’d look up and say, “Thy sweetness, Lord.”[i]
And by visualizing the sweet face of Jesus, the friend restrained his errant behavior.
We can access God’s presence with the shortest of prayers, and His presence curbs our impulse to sin. Children don’t disobey their parents in plain sight, after all.
The technique Miss Carmichael shared can curtail many temptations.
“Thy patience, Lord” when we’re tired of waiting.
“Thy love, Lord” when we dislike someone.
“Thy character, Lord” when we have the urge to curse.
Accessing God’s presence at crucial moments helps keep our behavior and thoughts in check. All prayer sensitizes us to God’s presence, and the more time we spend with Him, the closer we grow.
Since that long ago hospital stay with my daughter—she’s fine now, thanks be to God— I’ve faced other difficulties. All of us meet trials and tribulations in life. And when our circumstances unspool us, we can persistently pray a simple sentence or phrase and God will lead us to peace.
The next time we’re worried beyond words about a loved one, we can borrow Robert J. Morgan’s version. He writes, “I just lift my heart to heaven and say ‘Lord _________’ followed by the name of one for whom I’m concerned.”[ii]
God knows. God hears. And God answers.
Short, simple prayers are no less effective than eloquent and long-winded ones. They are quite powerful as long as we pray them earnestly.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
(James 5:16)
What do you do when can’t find the words to pray?
For more on the value of a short prayer, check this out: One-Word Prayer for Busy Parents by Bob Hostetler.
[i] Robert J. Morgan. The Red Sea Rules: Ten God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2001, 47.
[ii] Ibid.
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so glad you are still writing and sharing
That means a lot to me Bobbi! And thank you for commenting here. Blessings to you and yours!
Candyce, what a wonderful post. I love the short prayers for help when we’re tempted. I’m reminded of Jesus’ words that we aren’t heard for our many words.
Thank you, Debbie. Jesus lets us know He is not a fan of posturing, doesn’t He? I like the short request for God’s help with temptations too.
What a lovely post, Candyce. A wonderful reminder that our prayers don’t have to be long and elaborate. Short and simple works when they’re from our heart. And when you quoted Robert J. Morgan, I could hear him speaking. We attended his church for a few years and have heard him speak often.
You did? That is absolutely awesome. I really enjoyed The Red Sea Rules.
Beautiful thoughts on prayer. I have often only been able to mutter, “Help me, Lord.” Praise God, he hears our cry.
Yes, and prayer is about the connection with God rather than our words. It’s the fellowship He desires with us. He already knows what we need. I loved your post on prayer last week, Terri.
“Your will, Lord”, has become my “Go To” in those moments when I’m too overwhelmed to form words. I’ve learned also that tears work wonders when I shed them in His presence. Isn’t it comforting to know that we serve a Lord, that we have a Father, that invites us to climb upon His majestic lap, press our heads into His chest, and pour our souls out to Him. He always knows what to do in every situation. I so often picture Him, when I’m in prayer with Him, as comforting me while he busily, but calmly, continues doing His work in me, through me, and for me. Yes, when all else fails, a short prayer is a powerful way to draw nigh to Him.
“Your will, Lord, not mine is a wonderful prayer of submission. Like you, I also like to visualize Jesus sitting or riding beside me when I talk to Him. You paint a beautiful picture of His comfort.
At a very critical time in my life, my short prayer was “Lord protect him.” It turned my focus to my So erring God and away from the heavy situation. Thank you for reminding us of the power of simplicity.
That’s the beauty of prayer, isn’t it Marilyn? To turn our hearts and minds to our God, to sensitize us to His presence, and to feel His love for us. I’m so thankful we have the avenue of prayer – no matter how simple – to connect with Him.
Your message is so helpful for those times when we just don’t know what or how to pray. My heart hurts for your pain all those years ago, but you’ve shared a beautiful message of love and hope as a result of that experience. I’m so glad your daughter recovered. Peace and blessings.
Thank you, Katherine. I’m thankful that God uses the hard times in our life to teach and grow our faith. It builds our trust for the future.
I’m really enjoying “Stay the Course.” It addresses a huge felt need. I’m praying it helps and blesses many college students.
Candyce, I’ve felt unspooled, especially over the last year, and short prayers are often all I can give. From your account of desperation with your daughter’s physical need to your simple application, this one hooked and kept me. This is the type posts that finds a permanent place in our mind and spirit. Thank you.
In my early years of motherhood and teaching and going to school, I relied on a five-finger prayer technique that I read about somewhere. I would go through that five-finger prayer daily during my drive to work. It found a permanent place in my mind and spirit. Even now that I have more time to devote to God, I sometimes still call on it.
Please know I’m praying for you and your family.