We do not understand a lot of things in life.This is a hard planet, and we’re a vulnerable species.” – p. Life is hard and challenging (In the words of Kurt Vonnegut, “Welcome to the monkey house.Lamott then moves to highlight her variations on three simple prayers: Help, Thanks, and Wow. Connecting with something way bigger than ourselves.Communication from one’s heart to God (or however one names the Higher Power – as Lamott puts it, the force called “Not Me and Not Preachers Onstage with a Choir of 800.” – p.Below are a few simple things to keep in mind (and in heart).

From the novice beginner to the seasoned veteran of praying, Lamott offers some valuable principles on prayer. Lamott begins with a definition and understanding of prayer. Help, Thanks, Wow, draws me in by her insights on prayer as only Anne Lamott can write. Anne Lamott is one of the few writers that can make me laugh on one hand, while on the other hand, keep me captivated by her grounded, raw honesty, and perspective. With only a few days remaining before the holidays, I decided to read this book for the week. And in this light, we can see beyond our modest receptors, to what is way beyond us, and deep inside.Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott. Light warms, and in most cases it draws us to itself. But like sunflowers we turn toward light. Light reveals us to ourselves, which is not always so great if you find yourself in a big disgusting mess, possibly of your own creation. Even mushrooms respond to light - I suppose they blink their mushroomy eyes, like the rest of us. It is us reaching out to be heard, hoping to be found by a light and warmth in the world, instead of darkness and cold.

So prayer is our sometimes real selves trying to communicate with the Real, with Truth, with the Light.

It would make me want to sit next to you at the dinner table. If you told me you had said to God, 'It is all hopeless, and I don't have a clue if You exist, but I could use a hand,' it would almost bring tears to my eyes, tears of pride in you, for the courage it takes to get real-really real. If you say to God, 'I am exhausted and depressed beyond words, and I don't like You at all right now, and I recoil from most people who believe in You,' that might be the most honest thing you've ever said. “My belief is that when you're telling the truth, you're close to God.

The three essential prayers