Boda-Boda Taxis

“God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13

Exhilerating but frightening. That is how I would describe many of my recent experiences during a trip to Uganda. Take, for instance, a taxi ride where you entrust your life to a motorcyclist who weaves through traffic like a surfer winding up and down a wave. Tucked behind the taxi driver you sit with the mixed emotions of enjoying the scenery flashing by and longing for an imminent safe arrival.

Unlike the States, life in Uganda is operating at a different level of expectations and standards and you are forced to accommodate to the pace and conventions. Truthfully, I found myself praying a lot as so many things that needed to be accomplished did not carry with them the confident outcomes I am accustomed to assuming. Quite often, short prayers were the order of the day and short prayers that were repeated. This is what I voiced as I held on to the seat of the motorcycle and watched the blur of my surroundings rush by in a flurry of color and sound.

I believe that this kind of simple prayer format is another way of expressing our unceasing act of love toward God and keeps us living in Jesus. Like the tax collector we can pray with humility and dependence, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”. As simple as that! This short sentence is a sincere, effective, and profound statement. In fact, when you consider it, this prayer is the solid foundation of all prayer. We should never lose track of the fact that we come into God’s presence due to His mercy. We are sinners accepted by grace. We do not saunter in with a “Hey, God” attitude but with a penitential attitude fully resting in the divine love and mercy of our Heavenly Father. When you are at a loss to know what to pray or the circumstances are so stressful that words are not coming together this “Jesus Prayer” is a life saver. It is like jumping in a taxi with God as the driver. You have respite and refuge and it is the prayer that maintains that reality as you entrust yourself to God.