The best advice I have ever received over the course of my life—more than forty years on this earth—is simply this: when you are sinking, cry out to the Lord.

Peter gives us one of the simplest and best prayers we could ever pray. When he stepped out of the boat, he walked on water as long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves, fear took over. His faith wavered, and he began to sink.

Peter did not have time for a long prayer. He didn’t have time to explain himself to God or try to figure out how he was going to save himself. He simply cried, “Lord, save me.”

What a prayer!

There are times in life when we find ourselves sinking. We may be overwhelmed by circumstances, discouraged by what is happening around us, or simply unsure of what to do next. In those moments, we often think we need to have the right words or come up with our own solution.

But sometimes the best thing we can do is simply say, “Lord, help me.”

Those three words acknowledge that we need Him. They remind us that we cannot always fix everything ourselves. And they turn our eyes away from the storm and back toward the One who has power over it.

Notice what Jesus did when Peter cried out. “Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.” Jesus did not ignore him. He did not tell Peter to swim harder. He reached down and rescued him.

Perhaps you are sinking today. Maybe you are carrying something you don’t know how to handle. You may not know what to say, what decision to make, or how things are going to work out.

You don’t have to have all the answers.

Just pray the prayer Peter prayed: “Lord, help me.”

It may be the best prayer you could ever pray.