Letters to God

Sunday, December 14, 2025 - Third Sunday of Advent

The Rev. Julia Joyce-Miesse (she/her)

Rector, St. Luke Episcopal Church

Queer Christian

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

(Philippians 4:6)

I was recently in a local coffee shop and overheard a conversation of someone coming out to a friend. The friend sat quietly, listened to the quivering voice bearing their soul, and responded, “I love you, and I will pray for you – not because God doesn’t love you too, but because this world can be cruel, and your life might not be easy…prayer helps.” I was reminded of Celie’s letters to God as a way to express herself in Alice Walker’s book, The Color Purple. Celie spent a life being mistreated, name-called, and othered by people. Celie’s narrative was not perfectly written nor edited for content; it was her heart to God. Through Walker’s book, we are allowed to join Celie in her healing journey and realization of herself as beloved.

I read Celie’s letters as journaled prayers. We do not need the “right words” to talk with God. And, where I believe that God knows our thoughts before we do, I think it is helpful in our humanity to write down the words, emotions, and concerns of our hearts. It is often in breaking down the vulnerable wall of thought to penned manuscripts we find answers and healing. Might it be in this vulnerable space that the Holy Spirit moves within us?

Rejoice this day that we are Beloved! We are made in the image of God – good, Holy, beautiful, worthy, and enough – just like you are – right now! Repeat that to yourself. You are BELOVED!

Reflection

How might you discover the beautiful image of God that lives within you?

Mary Church Terrell taught that we should “lift as we climb.” As a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, how might you help someone else find their belovedness?

Action

Make time daily to write a letter to God as part of your journey to discover your beautiful self!