Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A Hypocrite's Prayer


I am a Hypocrite
Lord, I write about grace, preach to others on grace, yet struggle with waves of doubt, and wonder if I am good enough to receive your favor.
I write about laughter, fill my stories with chuckles to bring others to places of joy, yet sink in despair. I cover my face in my hands and weep for grief that I’ve disappointed You, worry that my babies are hurting, or rail over the state of our nation.
I am a hypocrite, Lord. Rescue me from my untruthful self. Am I full of grace, sharing with others, or trying to convince myself? Am I brimming with joy and want others to join me in the dance, or trying to help myself up from my own pit?

Fix Me, Please
You know me, and what how best to fix me and make me true. Will you fix me, please? I can't fix myself.
When I measure me by the standard I’ve set for me, I am crooked, broken, a mess. So I need You to measure me by the standard You have set for me, and show me how You see me.
Only then can I be whole and free to share with others the real me—the me I am becoming through Your love.

 
Dancing with Abandon
Only then will I write words that speak of grace from a full heart, laughter from a full soul. I will dance with abandon and others will join me.
Amen.
This is a prayer I wrote during a class at the Indianapolis Writers Conference last weekend. I love the concept of written prayers. They not only reveal our heart to ourselves and lift our thoughts to God, but help others grow.
Do you write your prayers? How does it help you in your walk with God?

 

10 comments:

  1. I love writing prayers, truly blesses me.

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  2. I write my prayers sometimes. It helps me focus, but it takes longer. There's the rub.

    Ah...we are all broken. And need truth spoken to us from lovely ladies like you.

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  3. Yes, I frequently write out my prayers...
    And dare I say that I value honesty and humility even MORE than humor? ('Course there's nothing wrong with humor!)

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  4. I don't write them out enough. I think there is such power and grace in laying it before the Lord like that. Loved what you wrote-

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  5. Thanks, dear friends. I appreciate your comments.

    Glenda: Yes, it does take longer, you're right. The advantage is, you can go back and look at it later, and share with others.

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  6. Great prayer.

    I do occasionally write prayers. I can really see the truth in the matter when I write it out.

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  7. I believe you are the second blogger who has talked about writing prayers. I have a new journal for 2013; the idea entered my mind when I read the other blog. Now I believe God's trying to tell me something. Thank you.

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  8. Several years ago, I read Lynn Morrissey's book, "Love Letters to God." I started writing my prayers during my journaling time. It's only one of the ways I talk to Him, but the time I spent writing calms my troubled heart and refreshes my soul.



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  9. Loree: Good point!
    Quiet: I think He is trying to tell you something!
    Susan: It refreshes my soul, too!

    Thanks for sharing,
    Jen

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  10. I do sometimes, yes. Or, I find that just writing out Scripture helps and sort of does the same thing. There's something about writing it out...

    Beautiful, authentic prayer, friend!

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