"Hear me, lord, whoever you are,
I’ve come to you, the answer to all my prayers –
rescue me from the sea, the Sea-lord’s curse!
Even immortal gods will show a man respect,
whatever wanderer seeks their help – like me –
I throw myself on your mercy, on your current now –
I have suffered greatly. Pity me, lord,
your suppliant cries for help."
So the man prayed
and the god stemmed his current.
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 5, lines 490-497. Having floated in heavy seas for two days and nights, battling Poseidon’s storms, Odysseus makes this plea for divine help. He prays to the river god as he swims towards the mouth of a river on the coast of Phaeacia. His prayer is answered.