A SIZABLE FIVE-WORD PRAYER

“I can’t do it,” Steven said. This was his abrupt ending. He claimed he lacked the ability to lead our group of seven in prayer. He only managed five words: “God, come be with us.”

This was Steven’s second time at the Free Church. His looks fully met the God-looks-on-the-inside criteria. His moppy hair covered a good portion of his facial features. Yet it didn’t cover his black AC/DC t-shirt or the jewelry-metal stabbed through his lip.

At the first meeting, he was listening intently. And as we drove to church for his second visit, he said: “Dude, I’ve been praying every night; things have been happening.” He linked his prayers to fewer skate boarding accidents. Plus another benefit: “My family’s getting some food tomorrow.”

It seemed right to ask Steven to initiate our discussion group with prayer. He agreed, but bailed out in a few seconds. No, “Amen.” No, “In the name of Jesus.” Merely, “God, come be with us.”

The Bible tells of an angel appearing to Joseph, the husband of Mary. This is the main thrust of the angel’s pronouncement: “Behold, the virgin (Mary) will be with child and will give birth to a Son and they will call Him Emmanuel—which means God with us.”

This Son was named Jesus. And Steven had unknowingly wrapped into his prayer the essence of who Jesus was on Earth. His prayer also pinpoints a desire of humans over the span of history—the vital longing to connect with God.

The Bible says: “Pray without ceasing.” Sure, Steven didn’t do that. Yet his simple words verbalized exactly what we all increasingly need in our lives. “God, come be with us.” I said to Steven, “That’s an excellent prayer; God will answer it.”