| Spiritual Non-Fiction posted October 4, 2023 |
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My prayer in the form of a letter.
A Letter to God
by John Cranford
Dear God,
I've spent my life from an early age trying to find my place. I was drawn to You as a small child. There are times when I wandered away from You, but You always brought me back. Your Word tells us that You are good to those who wait for You; to those who seek You. Lord, I have waited, and I still seek You today.
Dear God, your Word also tells us to expect you. You will show up in our lives, but you will show up in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times.
A few years ago, I stumbled across a website that encourages writers to submit their stories and poems and have them reviewed and rated by other writers. After the sun had set on my forty plus year career, I found time to reflect on the past. For some reason, a little poem I had written years ago when I was a senior in high school bubbled up to the surface of my mind. I submitted it to FanStory and was surprised at how well it was received.
And thus, it began. When I least expected it, You showed up and nudged me to begin writing after so many years without picking up the pen. Two years and 87 posts later, here I am. Little did I know that I had anything of value to say in poetry or prose. But, for some reason, You chose me and I now feel compelled to write about Your mercy and grace. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem like work to find the words, but more of a labor of love.
I believe that writing requires inspiration. And Lord, where better to get inspiration than from the one true fountain of inspiration...Your Word. I love putting pen to paper (clicking the keys) and waiting to see what will materialize each time Your inspiration strikes. Without fail, I'm surprised at what appears on the page. It's as if I'm the reader, not the writer...it's always a revelation to me.
I truly believe the words I write are the words You give me to write. All I do is arrange them in their proper order. I don't write with any smugness or pride since I'm the least deserving person in the world to be used by You. I write in the spirit of humility, remembering that you sent Your Son not to the rich and famous or the learned, but to simple fishermen and hated tax collectors. They were the ones He used to establish Your church on earth.
Jesus tells us that if we believe in Him, rivers of living water will flow through us to touch those in need, most of whom we'll never know. He tells us that we are the vessels through which You pour that living water. We should glorify Your name and be grateful for such an honor.
I believe that His living water can take many forms, dear Lord. We can flood a fractured and fallen world with rivers of words of inspiration, redemption and revival. We can be Your clarion call to the world that the hour is late, and the time is now.
Heavenly Father, let me serve as Your typewriter. Let me be the keys You press to form the words and messages of Your love, mercy and grace. Send those messages through me. I am truly humbled and blessed that You would allow me, of all people, to be Your instrument in reaching out to others in Your name.
All glory and praise to You!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Your humble servant,
John
Dear God contest entry
Dear God,
I've spent my life from an early age trying to find my place. I was drawn to You as a small child. There are times when I wandered away from You, but You always brought me back. Your Word tells us that You are good to those who wait for You; to those who seek You. Lord, I have waited, and I still seek You today.
Dear God, your Word also tells us to expect you. You will show up in our lives, but you will show up in the most unexpected ways and at the most unexpected times.
A few years ago, I stumbled across a website that encourages writers to submit their stories and poems and have them reviewed and rated by other writers. After the sun had set on my forty plus year career, I found time to reflect on the past. For some reason, a little poem I had written years ago when I was a senior in high school bubbled up to the surface of my mind. I submitted it to FanStory and was surprised at how well it was received.
And thus, it began. When I least expected it, You showed up and nudged me to begin writing after so many years without picking up the pen. Two years and 87 posts later, here I am. Little did I know that I had anything of value to say in poetry or prose. But, for some reason, You chose me and I now feel compelled to write about Your mercy and grace. Surprisingly, it doesn't seem like work to find the words, but more of a labor of love.
I believe that writing requires inspiration. And Lord, where better to get inspiration than from the one true fountain of inspiration...Your Word. I love putting pen to paper (clicking the keys) and waiting to see what will materialize each time Your inspiration strikes. Without fail, I'm surprised at what appears on the page. It's as if I'm the reader, not the writer...it's always a revelation to me.
I truly believe the words I write are the words You give me to write. All I do is arrange them in their proper order. I don't write with any smugness or pride since I'm the least deserving person in the world to be used by You. I write in the spirit of humility, remembering that you sent Your Son not to the rich and famous or the learned, but to simple fishermen and hated tax collectors. They were the ones He used to establish Your church on earth.
Jesus tells us that if we believe in Him, rivers of living water will flow through us to touch those in need, most of whom we'll never know. He tells us that we are the vessels through which You pour that living water. We should glorify Your name and be grateful for such an honor.
I believe that His living water can take many forms, dear Lord. We can flood a fractured and fallen world with rivers of words of inspiration, redemption and revival. We can be Your clarion call to the world that the hour is late, and the time is now.
Heavenly Father, let me serve as Your typewriter. Let me be the keys You press to form the words and messages of Your love, mercy and grace. Send those messages through me. I am truly humbled and blessed that You would allow me, of all people, to be Your instrument in reaching out to others in Your name.
All glory and praise to You!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Your humble servant,
John
 Recognized |
"My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." Psalm 45:1.
I was reminded of the above verse by my great FanStory friend Paul Stanton. That simple verse encapsulates everything I was trying to convey in my letter to God. The resurrected Jesus told His disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you." They were to be His messengers to the world to proclaim the Gospel and establish His church on earth. I have encountered so many gifted writers on FanStory who are serving as His messengers today through their words of faith and encouragement. I'm indeed fortunate to be a part of such a movement.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. I was reminded of the above verse by my great FanStory friend Paul Stanton. That simple verse encapsulates everything I was trying to convey in my letter to God. The resurrected Jesus told His disciples, "As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you." They were to be His messengers to the world to proclaim the Gospel and establish His church on earth. I have encountered so many gifted writers on FanStory who are serving as His messengers today through their words of faith and encouragement. I'm indeed fortunate to be a part of such a movement.
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© Copyright 2024. John Cranford All rights reserved.
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