“For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.” (Psalms 72:12)

David prayed this psalm about his son Solomon, but was prophetically pointing to Jesus, the ultimate Son of David.

Sometimes we feel we have no one to help, and many of us indeed have literally no one to help. But, Jesus is the help of the needy and the helpless.

Joseph, was helpless and outnumbered by his brothers, yet God was his help and led him to the royal palace of Egypt.

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. With bitterness archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady…because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob" (Genesis 49:22-24)

Job was helpless in his calamity, after losing his children, possessions and his health. Yet God was his help and delivered him from it all and restored to him more than what he had.

“I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2)

St. Peter was helpless in prison, sleeping between two soldiers and bound with two chains, yet God’s help was present for him.

“Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” (Acts 12:7)

So, when we feel helpless, we ought to pray with David the following prayer, knowing that God is help of the helpless:

“Arise, Lord! Lift up Your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless...But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” (Psalms 10:12, 14)