Notable Quotable: Laurie Skow-Anderson On Asking God For Help

Depending on our traditions, some Christians are more comfortable than others at asking God for help, it seems to me. Some feel that God is able and willing to intervene in our daily lives, while others see God as working at a more distant, macro level. In a meditiation on Psalm 30, Lutheran pastor Laurie Skow-Anderson (Trinity Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota) wonders why some Christians seem more comfortable with the latter view.


How do you need God's help today? During prayer time with our Wednesday after-school children's program, sitting in a circle on the floor, I asked the children how they need God's help. They had no trouble answering that question. They needed God's help getting along with their brothers or sisters, with their homework, and for Grandma when she is sick. I did an experiment with the church council, during prayer time before one of our meetings. I asked the council how they needed God's help in their lives this week. It was quiet for a few moments, before the first brave soul said, that it was hard to think about how she needed God's help. I found that it was much harder for the adults to ask God for help than it was for the children. What does that say about us if we don't seem to need God's help? Do you need God's help today?


This meditation from Laurie comes from a series of devotions, offered daily by email by Luther Seminary. You can check them out and, if you wish, sign up for them here.