I was leading the service at church Sunday night.
We were deep in the throes of a spiritual fight.
The preacher was gone, emotions ran high.
My first thought was no, but I knew I must try.
When it came time to pray, I wasn’t prepared.
I was feeling the pressure as everyone stared.
In searching my mind for guiding direction,
my wondering eyes made an easy connection.
He was a principled man who never said much.
Most knew him for his compassionate touch.
Before I could weigh all the risks it involved,
I had asked him to pray, my problem was solved.
He reluctantly agreed with a nervous little smile,
then started in, “God…” and paused for a while.
He struggled intently for words to compose.
As each moment passed, the room-tension rose.
A silent prayer, not what I had in my mind,
but we all had one going for words he could find.
It was a long awkward silence; I had counted to ten,
when he finally yelled, "Help!" and a quiet, "Amen."
We all burst out laughing at what had occurred,
one masterfully spoken, deliberate word.
This spirit-filled man, I had put on the spot,
patiently waited for the answer he sought.
Our healing began from that heartfelt plead.
When we give it to God, He knows what we need.
With hope now replacing any thoughts of despair,
I thanked him for praying the perfect prayer.
Author notes
This is based on a true experience I had, and it was the perfect prayer at the time... Kevin, WordsDoMatter
In a list
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- Warriors For Christ group list • next in list
A contest entry
- For Those Who Pray by januaryrain.
700 points, ended November 30, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Anything Goes by piccola.
900 points, ended December 26, 2008, 28 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Because I'm bored and want to give away some points [NOW OPEN TO PW's] by Dovina.
750 points, ended January 3, 32 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Pre-writes that should have been Gold by Mythtress.
1200 points, ended January 6, 21 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Awkward moments define my life by just sam.
900 points, ended February 3, 8 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The world needs your prayers by trekkergirl.
400 points, ended February 8, 33 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
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Wow the message within this is beautifully conveyed!! This piece flows together so perfectly I love the rythem!
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"Help!" sums it up perfectly and succinctly.
Help!, oh Father, in Jesus' name. AMEN
This is a story which inspires faith and hope. The Holy Spirit
gave him the perfect prayer to utter, and you tell the story with humor and grace.
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yes in this case
I see where it was the perfect prayer... and a wonderful tale that you have given here. And i can see where this could also be a prayer for the world. Thanks for sharing this with us and thanks for entering it into this contest. -
Oh yes this is a perfect prayer and an excellent story on prayer. God, HELP, Amen. Isn't that the prayer we so often need ourselves. How precious of a prayer that mans was. I'm still in awe and this too is one of my favorite poems I must say. I feel this way myself quite often..LOL..Some of my prayers are just to wordy but that's ok I'm staying in conversation with my relationship with the Lord, whether it is just the word, HELP, or a wordy prayer. What a humble spirit of a man he is. Thank you again for sharing your gift to write poetry and best wishes in the contests...
Many Blessings
God Bless
Much Love,
Kelle Marie
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A simple, but beautiful piece that somehow still managed to portray a full, meaningful message. Thankyou for entering.
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Good job. I really liked the message of this simple poem and how perfectly it can relate to anyone who goes to Church/Believes in God/believes in something. I think it flows fairly well and the rhyme is well done. You have mixed religion with a little bit of humor in a tasteful way. I really liked this part.
"We all burst out laughing at what had occurred,
one masterfully spoken, deliberate word.
This spirit-filled man, I had put on the spot,
patiently waited for the answer he sought.
Our healing began from that heartfelt plead.
When we give it to God, He knows what we need.
With hope now replacing any thoughts of despair,
I thanked him for praying the perfect prayer."
Good luck in your contests! -
In truth, some parts didn't flow as nicely as your poems usually do, but it's a really great poem anyway.
I love the simplicity. And it's real. I'm not keen on the common image I see of church being full of grumpy old women who want nothing but traditional, quiet sermons. This reminds me of what it was like in the church I went to for a while - just a room full of people who are open to believe in things without a necessesity for proof. Like anyone else, they wanted to laugh and have a good time. Comforting.
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I appreciate
your honesty... I have been working on this a bit. The message is good, the delivery may not (yet) be entirely perfect. thanks - I agree - kevin
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wow
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wow
a double wow, I truly do appreciate it... maybe the best onee-word response I have gotten, perfect for the one-word prayer... I get it! - thanks - Kevin
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Excellent rhythm and flow to this piece. It reads like most ballads and I was thirsty for the answer to my question on what his prayer would be. Sometimes it is right that all we need to do is say "help" and let God fill in the rest. Excellent write. Write on, poet.
Blessings,
Myth
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It's funny how we all think so hard about things, when just a simple thought would suffice just as easily. Thanks for sharing this story! It truly was the perfect prayer indeed.
thanks for your entry! -
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ummm
did I say "sweat"??? sorry, SWEET... -
thank you
wow, in just a few words, I can tell that you have a sweat gentle spirit... words really do matter - thanks - Kevin
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this is such a beautiful story!! thank you for sharing- it inspired me.
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thanks
this is one of my favorites (though hardly anyone has read it) ... thanks for being on a short list... and for digging this one out - Kevin
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Wow, that's awesome, and so true too. Lol. Sometimes we all think everything has to be so eloquent, etc, but that's not always the case. Just like in this situation.
Thanks for sharing. I love it!
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thanks
for allowing me to share this one with you... it was a very cool experience - Kevin
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Some how even before I read this, I knew what the simple prayer was going to be.
You are a gifted writer; and I pray that God may shower His blessings on you.
Peace be with you friend as you go about His bidding.
~ James ~
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wow
coming from you I consider that quite a compliment... you made my day -(though I know the source, and don't expect anything less) - kevin
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Okay, from a grammatical point of view, last stanza, last word "plead" should be "plea". From a spiritual point of view, I know what's it like to be kinda "forced" to pray and not really having in mind, the "right" words to say. "help" one tiny, little, deliberate word, most rightly spoken and the right One heard. Very good and very relateable!
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hey my friend
nice catch on that... I appreciate that very much. Hope all is well - Kevin
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Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience, God knows our hearts, we don't always need alot of words, many a times I have just prayer Help!
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