But she came

and knelt before Him,

saying,

     "Lord, help me."

           Matthew 15. 25

(The simplest prayer,

our most profound reaction

           to our need:

    coming before God.

First response,

not last resort.

Worry just distracts,

distorts, and

     multiplies the problem.)

O LORD,

We come before You.

Please help us.

We cry out to You.

We listen.

We watch

    Your steadfast love,

     Your divine appointments,

     Your shield

            snapped into place,

the infiltration of Your Spirit,

Your supernatural intervention,

     which is how You work.

There is so much we do not see

          in Your grand narrative.

Help us to drag our concerns

           to the altar

and listen to You.

You do not just show us

         the way through,

but fear not.

     You are with us.