Help, Thanks, Wow

Posted on February 21, 2023  •  5 minutes  • 873 words

   I call this a “Help, Thanks, Wow” prayer, based on Anne Lamot’s Book of the same name, which posits that those are the three essential prayers. Romans 12 is so rich in reminders of both God’s unconditional love and God’s will for us to always strive for better. But - not better as the world sees it. Not better as in, you are only a perfect mother if you (fill in the blank with whatever instagram is telling you - have an unmedicated birth, discipline a certain way, only eat certain foods, lose all the baby weight in a prescribed amount of time, whatever). We are not to be “conformed to this age, but be transformed” by following what God wants for us. And then it lays it out - don’t think of yourself as better, recognize others’ gifts, love one another, show each other honor, be patient, pray, be hospitable, be compassionate, bless others and don’t worry about vengeance.

  It’s a lot, but it’s also encouraging. Instead of striving for whatever our image of perfection is, this passage invites us to dig into the simple things in our lives, to invest in close relationships, to seek good in others and do good in our families and communities.

   I invite you to read the passage (it is the chapter in its entirety), and then the prayer I wrote based on these rich words. Each stanza of the prayers follows the format “help, thanks, wow” - Asking God for help, thanking God for something, and then an “ascription” - naming or recognizing one of God’s qualities or attributes.

Romans 12

   I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, on the basis of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

   For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the encourager, in encouragement; the giver, in sincerity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.

   Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.

   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly;[b] do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12 - NRSVUE)

God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help us to not be conformed to this world’s demand for perfection. Thank you for your guidance when we fail. You renew our minds and point us towards what you find acceptable.

Help us love our families genuinely and humbly. Thank you for your example of perfect love. You are love unbroken.

Help us persevere in prayer for each member of our families, and for our family as a whole. Thank you for your patience when we falter. You uphold us in your hand.

Help us to recognize the gifts of each family member. Thank you for the variety of gifts you have given us. You are the embodiment of grace.

Help us hold fast to what is good. Thank you for showing us goodness in small moments, even on days we feel overwhelmed. You are in all things, big and small.

Help us live peaceably with others as far as we are able. Thank you for showing us ways of compassion and accountability. You give us so many opportunities to love.

Help us overcome hard days with strength, tough conversations with grace, evil with good. Thank you for showing us holy endurance. You are the way of love.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.