When I turned thirteen, something wonderful happened. A week-long Student Christian Union camp coincided with my school holiday. A school friend asked me to join them, and the only reason I agreed was to escape from home and my mischievous brothers. It turned out to be the best holiday ever! But first, I had to get through a rather challenging situation.

 

I remember packing my clothes, surrounded by my brothers and my mother. They laughed at me, teasing that I forgot to pack my Sunday Best. They went into embarrassing detail about it. To make matters worse, my mom joined in, enjoying the ridicule. It felt like I was surrounded by four vultures, picking at me. They were so mean, and all I wanted was to get away from them.

 

At the camp, I shared a tent with five other girls. One green tent looked different from all the others. I was curious about what happened inside. The other campers told me that we would all get our turn to visit that tent; I just had to wait.

 

Finally, the day arrived, and along with my five new friends, and one of the leaders, we sat in a circle on the ground. She announced that we would each have a chance to pray. My heart sank because I had never prayed before! I thought to myself, "I can’t pray!" As the other girls went one by one, offering their prayers, I struggled to come up with something to say.

 

I recalled a moment when our neighbour’s little girl prayed at their lunch table. But, that idea faded since there was no food to be thankful for in this context. Then I remembered the prayer our church adults usually recited: "Our Father, who art in heaven." But, I couldn't recall it all. I thought, “No, that’s too long, and I don’t know the rest.”

When it was finally my turn, I burst into a cold sweat and panicked. I didn’t know what to do. I stuck my fingers in my ears and held my breath, hoping to escape. After a moment of silence, the next girl prayed and I thought I might get away with not praying, but all the girls now finished their prayers and they resumed to wait for me.

 

For the first time in my life, I truly needed a prayer. I asked silently, “Jesus, please give me a prayer I can pray.” Then in a moment of impulse, I exclaimed, “Lord Jesus, my sins are like scarlet.” Make them as white as snow. Amen.”

 

At first, I felt relieved to have found something to say. But the feeling turned out to be even more wonderful. It felt like a weight had rolled off my shoulders. When I opened my eyes, I saw the shining eyes of my friends and the leader. They were jumping up and down and hugging me. They knew what had just happened; perhaps they, too, had once needed a prayer. I’m not sure what occurred at that moment, but I felt it was the best feeling I’d ever experienced in my life. In later years, I discovered my prayer in Isaiah 1:18, and I was able to understand its context and what God requires.