Is 'God help me' really a prayer?

Yes. It may be the most honest prayer there is. Scripture is full of people whose entire prayer was a cry for help, and who were heard (Psalm 40:1).

What if I need help right now?

If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, please reach out immediately to a real person or crisis line. You can find caring, immediate resources on the help page below.

Can I ask other people to help me pray?

Yes. You can ask others to pray for you on the prayer wall, privately if you wish. You do not have to carry this alone.

Prayer & Presence

God, Help Me

If the only prayer you have is God, help me, then you have prayed a real prayer, one of the oldest and most honest there is. You do not need to say more. Scripture is full of people whose whole prayer was a cry for help, and who were heard.

If this is you. When life narrows down to those three words, it can feel like you are failing at prayer. You are not. You are doing the truest thing prayer can do: reaching for help you cannot give yourself.

The Psalms are full of short, raw cries: save me, hear me, help. God does not require them to be dressed up. He inclines toward the person who calls out.

What Scripture says

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.”

Psalm 40:1-2

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

A prayer you can pray right now

A prayer you can pray right nowGod, help me. I do not have anything else to say. I am reaching for You because I cannot do this on my own. Please come. Please help. Amen.

You do not have to carry this alone. On the Living Bread prayer wall you can ask real people to pray for you tonight. You can keep it private, share only what you want, and you do not need to make an account to be prayed for. Someone will pray.

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And if you want to know the One you are praying to

You do not have to believe anything yet. Prayer is simply turning toward God as honestly as you can, and Christians believe that in Jesus, God turned toward us first. You do not have to take our word for it. Read his own words quietly and see what you find. The Gospel of John is a gentle place to begin, and it costs you nothing but a little quiet and an honest look.

Read the Gospel of John Ask for prayer Come and see

Jesus Christ is Lord.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'God help me' really a prayer?: Yes. It may be the most honest prayer there is. Scripture is full of people whose entire prayer was a cry for help, and who were heard (Psalm 40:1).
What if I need help right now?: If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, please reach out immediately to a real person or crisis line. You can find caring, immediate resources on the help page below.
Can I ask other people to help me pray?: Yes. You can ask others to pray for you on the prayer wall, privately if you wish. You do not have to carry this alone.

Nearby, if you want itI need help now I need prayer A prayer when afraid