The other day I was reading from the devotional by Charles Spurgeon – I have included it below (see http://www.spurgeon.org/aboutsp.htm if you want to know more about Spurgeon) – I came upon this devotional and thought of several people that I know that are in this kind of place.

Then this morning (June 23) I heard on a radio station that a young veteran who had served in Afghanistan and left the military was wrestling with PTSD and severe anger issues. He had left the military in order to not put any further strain on his wife and child. But since he had left the military the issues had not left him. He had emailed this particular radio personality and asked if they would ask the listeners to pray for him and his family.

The prayer request was simple yet the beautiful cry of a sincere heart…just three words is all he asked for people to pray for him – PLEASE HELP ME! The beauty is that this prayer is one of complete surrender, one that is so overwhelmed that all they know to say is HELP ME. I am sure that you have been there a time or two in your life, I am sure that you know someone right now that is in that place…where they don’t know what else to do, where they don’t have anything left. That heart that is so overcome, that feels so swamped that that cannot put a sentence together that could cover all they are going through.

When someone is drowning, they don’t spell out to the rescuer the HOW, they don’t tell them that they have to use this method and they don’t tell their rescuer anything other than HELP ME.

It is not at all unlike what the Bible promises… in Romans 8:26

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words…”

The prayer of HELP LORD is carried to God, the Spirit Himself intercedes with the groanings of our hearts that cannot find any other words except HELP ME! And sometimes the best prayer we can offer up for someone in that place of an overwhelmed, that person who feels that they are drowning – we can ask – LORD PLEASE HELP THEM.   

If you are that person know that it is ok to cry out a simple but honest HELP LORD. You may know what your heart craves but cannot find the words…He will hear, He will give what you need. Whatever you are facing right now, whatever you are struggling with the simple plea of HELP LORD is powerful and He has promised to answer as we trust Him to meet that need.

 -------------------------From Spurgeon-------------------------

“Help, Lord.”          — Psalm 12:1

The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, but seasonable, sententious, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of faithful men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication—when the creature failed, he flew to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness, or he would not have cried for help; but at the same time he intended honestly to exert himself for the cause of truth, for the word “help” is inapplicable where we ourselves do nothing. There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.

The occasions for the use of this prayer are frequent. In providential afflictions how suitable it is for tried believers who find all helpers failing them. Students, in doctrinal difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of “Help, Lord,” to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request. Workers in heavenly labour may thus obtain grace in time of need. Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication; in fact, in all these cases, times, and places, this will serve the turn of needy souls. “Help, Lord,” will suit us living and dying, suffering or labouring, rejoicing or sorrowing. In him our help is found, let us not be slack to cry to him.

The answer to the prayer is certain, if it be sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord’s character assures us that he will not leave his people; his relationship as Father and Husband guarantee us his aid; his gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing; and his sure promise stands, “Fear not, I WILL HELP THEE.”

Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.