Be a Powerful Channel of Grace in the Lives of People you Love.

While Almighty God is the source of all grace, we are all called to be channels of that grace by what we choose to say and do, and sometimes—as if by providence—by simply being in the right place at the right time when somebody needs our help. Of course, we can all be vessels of divine grace through our prayers, including prayers we can gift to others.

This site is an invitation to give a hand-written prayerbook as a personal gift, not only as a reminder of God’s readiness to listen (and speak) to us whenever we look heavenward, but also as a constant reminder to those special to us that faith, like love, is something to be shared. And what better way to share it than a devotional written in your own hand?

Understand that prayers written down are not intended to replace the prompting of the Holy Spirit in spontaneous prayer. All of us should spend time every day having conversations with God about any- and everything. But what a book CAN do is jump start our prayers and move our concerns beyond our own immediate concerns. It brings timeless wisdom and daily structure to our prayer life. Meaningful prayers, especially those with a poetic quality, are something we can give to our souls, even—or especially—on bad days. It’s not unlike what we often do with holy Scripture: we can’t hope to understand everything we read, but we can gift the texts to our hearts and wills.

On this site, you’ll find an array of mostly traditional prayers that will serve as a sort of framework. Nearly all have stood the test of time. Many in fact are ancient. Some are scriptural. Quite a few are well known. You will almost certainly want to add other prayers, Bible verses, even hymns that you think have special meaning, or even quotations and other short texts you think appropriate. If some or all of the archaic language is not to your taste, rephrase the texts in contemporary English. There are a number of Bible translations available for you to choose from.

Why hand-written?

Any hand-written communication creates a deeply personal connection between the giver and the recipient, not unlike a hand-written letter, note, or card. Only YOU write the way you do. Because your writing is unique, it has the power to convey a special meaning that no printed document can replicate. A hand-written prayerbook is, in effect, a love letter, sending a powerful message to the recipients that they have a special place in your heart, as well as in God’s creation. Each recipient will know you didn’t buy it on Amazon or pick it up at some bookstore; you spent some considerable time crafting it to be a keepsake. It will be totally one of a kind.

If you’re a parent, you know how precious childhood artwork is. There’s a good chance your children’s early masterpieces still command places of honor in your house, along with special childhood photographs. Similarly, a prayerbook in your own hand will be your keepsake masterpiece—not only an expression of your love, but a declaration of faith in the power of almighty God and the angels to guide, protect, and heal.

All the prayers, templates, and ideas on this site are free for you to use, adapt, and share. But if you feel this site has been a “channel of grace” for yourself or your friends and loved ones, you can donate whatever you think appropriate to your church or a reputable religious charity. Ten percent of your income (a tithe) is a rule of thumb for many Christians. Remember, God doesn’t need your money—you need to embrace the discipline of gratitude when it comes to any and all divine gifts.

What you’ll need for your prayerbook:

• A small binder
• A decent pen (preferably not a ballpoint) or fine-point marker for writing
• Some loose-leaf paper
• And perhaps some good “source” prayerbooks you can use for inspiration (many can be found in church libraries and bookstores)

What you can include:

• traditional prayers
• other prayers you find meaningful
• words of hymns or praise songs
• poems
• short, meaningful quotations and meditations (taken from sermons, websites, or books)
• perhaps even your own words of encouragement, including advice handed down to you by your own parents, grandparents, or mentors

But remember: it should reflect your voice and love, as well as the enduring, unconditional love of God.

Let the holy angels guide your hand. †