In these days of digital media, the art of letter writing is sadly being eroded. However, the discipline of writing a letter can bring out depths of expression and communication that sometimes get lost in instant emails and text messaging.
This form of prayer can go two ways: you may choose to write a letter to God, expressing your thoughts or feelings in writing as a letter; or you may write a letter to yourself as from God, spending time to imagine what God would want to say to you in a letter.
In this exercise I encourage you to do the latter. Some may find this difficult – how can I place myself in God’s shoes? I would encourage you to persevere however.
You can write your letter in a journal, or – even better – take some writing paper and a pen and write it as a ‘proper’ letter.
First, find a quiet place and ensure you can have some undisturbed time.
Spend time quietly just imagining what God might want to say to you in a letter.
Start writing: ‘Dear…’ Don’t worry if the words come out jumbled or don’t seem to be what you expected.
Once you have finished, read through your letter and reflect on what you have written: is this what you imagined God might say to you? Is there anything you find particularly warming? Is there anything in your letter that troubles you?
Sit quietly, remembering that you are in the presence of our Loving God.
If you have a spiritual director, you may want to discuss your letter with them. Or you could put your letter away for a time, or post it to yourself, to come back to and re-read at a later date.