Say Yes to Alphabet Prayers by Sandi Somers

 

As we near the end of our alphabet project, I discovered something surprising.

I lay awake one night, worrying. Gradually I turned to praying for a family on my prayer list. It wasn't too long before I fell asleep. Next morning my mind was clear of the worry, and I realized I hadn't even finished praying for everyone.

Occasionally I have restless wakeful nights, and I try praying. Recently I read an article that suggested praying Scriptures--work your way through the alphabet. Recite scriptures until you fall asleep. 

Aha!

It was a great idea. I could combine alphabet Scriptures with praying for people or personal needs. So the next wakeful night, I began.

A "Ask...Seek...Knock."

B "Bless the Lord, O my soul."

C "Confess your sins one to another."

 I didn't get too far. By the letters G and H, I was drifting in and out of sleep. But I did wake enough to J, and recited, "Jesus wept."

The next sleepless night, I decided praise was in order. I focused on Scriptures from Isaiah, even though thoughts were out of alphabetical order: "Almighty God, Wonderful Counsellor Everlasting Father, Prince of peace." "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord."

Then came a night I lay awake, even with quoting Scriptures. I was surprised that, though I've memorized a lot of verses, I couldn't recall examples--K, Q, R---Perhaps I wasn't fully alert. 

On later nights, I diverted from a strict alphabetical order and prayed The Lord's Prayer, praying into each verse. Or Psalm 23. Or favourite verses. 

I prayed for our pastors. I prayed for my writing. I prayed for our Canadian leaders. 

Then I realized something else was happening.

I was generally sleeping more soundly. The Lord's words were becoming a balm to my spirit. And I wasn't worrying nearly as much.

But more. I was reminded of how important it is to pray with Scripture. In this way, we know we are praying according to God's will. If we don't, we can, as the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoefffer wrote, "become victim of our own emptiness", praying in generalities.

In my regular morning prayer time, I began writing down special Scriptures for people--a process that will continue to grow. 

How will this process grow and influence my praying? My hope is that it will lead to more effective praying. God's word is powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit...and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

If you haven't tried it, pray through Scriptures during a wakeful night, matching verses with special requests. 

God bless you this coming year.

Image by Pixabay

What is in Your Hand? by Lorrie Orr

 

Here we are, beginning a brand-new year. 365 days that unfold one by one. In Exodus 3, Moses, called by the Lord to an enormous task, expresses doubt about his abilities. The Lord replies to him, “What is that in your hand?” God then uses Moses’ staff to demonstrate His power to use what Moses already had.

As we begin the year, this month's challenge is to consider where and how we might move forward in faith and in writing. Share what is in your hand. What do you know about yourself? How has God revealed Himself to you as a writer? What tools do you possess to help you? How can you use what God has given you to enhance your writing?

When I think of the many ways that God has led me think of myself as a writer, I had a difficult time narrowing this post to a reasonable length. Here are a few of the gifts God has given me.

1. A love of words. Words are beautiful things. From an early age I devoured words. Words jump out at me everywhere. I find the shape of letters and words appealing. Spelling errors, particularly in public, like on big advertising boards, newspapers, or church screens stand out like a petunia in an onion field. (Not that I haven't made my own share of spelling errors.) I love putting words together to create images or to tell stories.

2. A story. God has given me a story of love and faithfulness. Of redemption. Of a grace that is so beautiful I see it everywhere. Of intense challenges and ordinary days. Of a life I could never have imagined for myself. In my life there are everyday stories where God shows up in small but significant ways, and life-altering stories where God's hand works amazing miracles. Taking note of these moments is part of living a life that honours God.

3. Source material. For 21 years I wrote thousands and thousands of words by hand in letters to family and friends. Letters were my only connection between Ecuador and Canada. Shortly before my mother-in-law passed away in 2017 she gave me two boxes full of those letters. She had saved every one of them, going so far as printing out emails in the later years. It was my eldest daughter who said, "Mom, you should put them into a book for all of us." Her idea spurred me to begin a memoir that is very nearly complete.

4. Encouragement. I tend to belittle myself, particularly in my writing. Creating with words is like having children; it's incredibly hard work. Exposing my writing to the world is difficult. I don't expect praise and adulation, but when someone comments that they've enjoyed a piece of writing, or found solace or encouragement through my words, I thank God for his encouragement.

These things in my hand are God's gifts to me. I think of the Apostle James' words "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." I desire to honour God by accepting and developing the gifts he gives me.

Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island.

She hopes to publish her memoir in 2025 with God's help.