“Dad, Help” (A Prayer)

Just the other day, I got frustrated trying to use a smartphone app to deposit a check. Every time I would take the check photo, the app would log me out and make me have to start all over again. Arggggghhhhh! I tried five or six times, then got mad and quit. But having a bit of a stubborn streak, I was determined not to let that app beat me. So I tried about another seven times but the same thing kept happening. Just as I was about to throw my hands up in surrender, I heard this small voice in my Spirit:

Why don't you ask Me?"

Well! In all of my efforts, I never thought to ask the Lord for help. I thought this issue was too small to bother Him with. But I heeded the small voice. I sat down, took a deep breath and I said, "Father, will you help me with this check deposit? It is really getting on my nerves and I need your help." Then I got up and tried the check deposit again. The app worked! The very next day, I was writing a new curriculum for our church's New Members program. The previous day, I had a reference that I wanted to include, but I couldn't find it. I spent much time looking for it. I was getting frustrated again. But this time, I stopped in the middle of my aggravation and asked myself: "Why don't you ask God for help?" So this is what I said in prayer:

Father, you know that I am trying to do Your work in developing this program. If this is a resource You want me to include, then I need Your help finding it. However if I can't find it, then I will conclude that it doesn't belong there."

Calmness entered my spirit. I saw what I needed to do clearly. The Lord brought to my remembrance how I found the resource in the first place! I retraced my steps and found the resource I needed immediately. He gave me my answer. I hope you see a pattern now. Finally, I was wrapping gifts the day after that. I was using clear cellophane tape when the tape slipped out of my hand. When I picked up the tape again, I couldn't find the starting edge of it. Arghhhhh! I felt my emotions start to go into that familiar pattern of frustration. But this time, I stopped that negative pattern cold. I remembered the lessons of the previous two days. I sat down, calmed myself and uttered a simple, two-word prayer: "Dad, help!" I took a deep breath, picked up the tape and saw the edge right then. Here's my point: God is always available to help us. As Believers in Jesus, He is our Father and we are His children. You don't have to use many words to get Him to hear your prayers. He hears your heart more than your words. But too often, God is the last one we seek for help. I can think of three reasons for that:

• Ignorance: We don't know that we have the privilege of asking God for help as His children
• Call Screening: We decide that our issue is too small to bother God with (that was me)
• Pride: We want the false glory of being a "self-made woman/man" so that we can tell others: "I did it my way." (unfortunately, that's also been me too in the past)

I am now practicing asking for Father's help throughout my day, not just for big things, but for small things. I think it is deepening our relationship as I increase my dependence on Him. If I feel frustration, stress, or any other negative emotion that disturbs my peace, I pray for help right then. If I see a negative situation on the news, I stop and pray for the Lord's intervention in that situation. The Lord gave me a mouth and His Word. His Word gives me authority and I intend to use it for His glory! Deuteronomy 4:7 says,

For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?

I bolded the above statement for emphasis. Is any situation left out of that? You and I are citizens of that great nation according to this scripture:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9);

Since you are a Kingdom citizen, then you may call upon the Lord for any reason - big or small! What an awesome privilege. Take a moment to look outside at the sky, trees, the sun. You have a personal relationship with the One who created all of that. Call upon the Lord on the basis of your personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Call upon Him on the basis of His own Word. If you do not know what His word says about the situation you are facing, then make finding it your highest priority. Seek your Father in prayer and search His word. That's what I did when emotional eating had bound. This habit led me to eat my way up to 240 pounds and a size 22. Even though I was in danger of getting bigger and experiencing more health problems because of it, I still thought the issue was too small to seek the Lord's help. It took the Lord Himself to step in and show me a better way. His wisdom and power set me free. And now, over 13 years later, I am free! Don't let yourself become overwhelmed with negative emotions anymore; humble yourself and pray "Dad, help." What He did for me, He can do for you. Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness, Kimberly Taylor Author/Christian Life Coach of the Take Back Your Temple program P.S. Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking that your past equals your future? Nothing could be further from the truth. Click Watch Video on this page to learn why you can succeed in your weight loss goals - starting today.