Prayers and Poems
Prayers and poems as you get through what you're going through
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Prayer is an invitation I am learning to say yes to.
To speak with God.
To listen to God.
To be with God.
Prayer is not about getting what I want, it is about spending time with the Father.
And these days, that is all I want.
To be with the One who created me to be.
To be with the One who pours out love and grace.
To be with the One who holds all things in His hands.
Sometimes, for me, prayer looks speaking the Lord’s Prayer, words said by Jesus.
Sometimes it looks like sitting with the words written or prayed by another.
Sometimes it sounds like conversation as I walk our dog, Pancake, speaking with God as if He is walking right alongside us.
Sometimes it’s nothing more than a few honest words scribbled down, offered without polish.
And somehow, in all of it, God meets me there.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I have been trying to not overthink prayer, but to show up and give what I have.
And maybe you’re looking for a few words to kick off the conversation or to sit with as you reflect on God’s love and grace.
Included in this post are prayers written while I was writing Getting Through What You’re Going Through and a few selected pages from the book about prayer.
If you haven’t ordered a copy, please do!
Who is Getting Through What You’re Going Through for?
For those searching for a spark of hope.
For those courageously taking the next step.
For those who need to remember that life is still worth living.
For those holding on to the promise that good is on the way.
For those who just need a moment to be still and breathe.
This book is for you.
Feel free to screenshot, share, or journal what is in here.
Let these words be a gift to you.
Prayers and Poems
God,
Keep me from hurrying through
all the things I hoped for.
Amen.
Reach Out To God
A page from Getting Through What You’re Going Through
Inhale: I am not alone.
Exhale: Hope is here.
God,
Let Your mercy
interrupt my worry.
Amen.
God, I Don’t Know. Amen.
A page from Getting Through What You’re Going Through
“God, I don’t know. Amen.”
I’ve been saying this prayer for years, and I’m sure I’ll be praying it for the rest of my life.
It’s a prayer I am only beginning to understand.
It’s a short prayer.
A simple prayer.
An honest prayer.
How does God respond to such a prayer? If we listen carefully, I think we always hear Him answer, saying something along the lines of:
Be not afraid or I am with you.
I’m learning that saying we don’t know isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of trust and surrender.
With these simple words, I am asking for help, and asking for help has never been a sign of weakness, but of strength.
These days it’s difficult to find the right words.
Between the uncertainty in my own life, the ongoing pain of this world, and the constant news of hate and hurt, I am often left speechless.
It’s no different when it comes to prayer.
Some days my mouth is empty.
I give God my most honest exhale.
I open my hands and say, “Here.”
I close my eyes and remind myself that Jesus has died for my sins and the tomb is empty and this is not the end.
In my silence I am reminded that God makes sense of my groans, and He knows what I say when I confess, “I don’t know.”
Because I don’t know.
But He does.
Inhale: In all that is heavy
Exhale: There is hope
God,
Let hope rise
quietly within me.
Amen.
Inhale: I don’t know.
Exhale: But God, you do.
You Are Better
A Note to God
A page from Getting Through What You’re Going Through
For a while, I thought You were frustrated with me.
As of late, I even thought You were disappointed
with every choice I’ve been making.
I thought my questions were annoying You, and my sins—You
know the ones I seem to always be confessing—were
pushing You further away.
Like I could have that much power.
For one reason or another, I began to believe the distance
and silence to be punishment.
Life felt like a time-out,
and I was waiting for You to say,
Okay. You can get back to living now.
I’ve told myself many things, and it seems only some of
what I’ve said has been true and kind.
My mind is best at believing the lies—You
know the ones that grow loud when life just isn’t right,
when something doesn’t feel right.
It’s like taking a marker to a beautiful painting.
In my searching I added to what was already perfect
and holy.
Maybe it’s because You are not who I want You to be.
While all along, You are still who You’ve always been.
Slow to anger.
Patient.
Loving.
Inviting.
Compassionate.
Merciful.
You are not who I want You to be;
You are better.
With the launch of the book comes a tour. For more information, visit and RSVP at writtentospeak.com/tour-dates. All are welcome. Each night will feature a singer-songwriter, along with poems from the book, a few stories, and—hopefully—you’ll leave feeling a little more hopeful. I’d love to meet you.
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“God, I don’t know. Amen.” YES.
Can't wait for this book! Congrats, Tanner!
The right words. How I used to long for the right words. Now all I long for is the connection to God or Jesus. I know the words themselves aren't really important. Humility and trust are. They are all we need. Humility and trust. Humility and trust...