In November I am going to see writer (and Presbyterian) Anne Lamott speak in Philadelphia. Her last book was entitled "HELP, THANKS, WOW: The Three Essential Prayers." I began rereading it this week after I bought my ticket to hear her speak. The first time time I read it was the evening of Thursday, December 13, 2012. No, I do not have a super autobiographical memory. When I opened the book to read it again this week my Barnes & Nobles receipt fell out of the last page. That tiny piece of paper did remind me, however, that the first time I read "HELP, THANKS, WOW..." it only took me four hours. Granted, it is only a 102 page book, but despite graduating with a B.A. in English, I cannot usually read for that long without taking a break to do something, anything else. Something about the way that Anne Lamott writes is so raw, funny, engaging, and faithful that I couldn't tear myself away from the book. The prelude of the book, "Prayer 101" begins:
I do not know much about God and prayer, but I have come to believe, over the past twenty-five years, that there's something to be said about keeping prayer simple.
Help. Thanks. Wow.
I reordered the title for this blog post, because the original title didn't quite express my recent experience of prayer. The whirlwind that was getting married, packing, moving, and starting seminary all in three and a half weeks left me in awe at the love, generosity, and goodwill of our family and friends (both old and new). After the dust settled I was left with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all the blessings we were being continually given. The kind of help that I am now in need of is for continued support and prayers while navigating studying, time management, spiritual growth, and nurturing our new marriage.
Wow.
