How to Write a Poem for God

Poetry is one of the purest art forms which allows a writer to hone in on something which, for good or bad, lies heavy on their mind. Around half of The Psalms was written by King David at various points in his life—and not all of these were to be considered good times! BUT -- David’s psalms show how a man of God prays during times of hardship, loss, joy, and guilt.

Writers/poets have used their pieces as an avenue by which they express a little life and a little truth. Below a few believers do the same with their own "psalm" in various moments. I encourage you to submit your own below the post in the comments!! We would LOVE to hear a psalm from your heart and life ...

Getting to know a leader is tricky where agendas are not surrendered

because manipulating relationships in the end will leave one hindered

and the story that you think you know is one for which you don't have a clue

and the interpretations you've settled on yield an errant view

It is no wonder then that the 12 had lost the plot

the self sacrificing Savior had a story that they hadn't exactly bought

and when it took a turn that none of them remotely expected

it resulted in a tragic episode of their hopes being redirected

they assumed it was over they believed it was the end

they thought that they had bid farewell to their Lord and friend

swallowed alive by despair grief and loss

they didn't even have the nerve to take Him down from the cross

to them the story had met its end sad and tragic and done

oh what a wonder what a gift what a joy as it had only just begun

fear that I will be overwhelmed
my umbrella up,
but the sun is out
If I ever thought I could run
I’d run for shelter

YOU tell me “don’t be scared to fall”
or no fall would do me good at all
there is no tragedy that will not be transformed

will I be saved completely?
or will it be my own wounds that heal me?

will blood and water suffice to
make me fresh and clean?

but I know I’ll still walk this gravel path
oh, may YOU find me with your lathe
forcing YOUR love into me,
and into a heart of wood

On the sleeping body of God,

we press our ears and listen

for the hollowed breathing,

deep and rich like a cave.

We cover His chest

with beads and flowers

as each movement of slumber

dwarfs our selfish prayers.

– Kevin Marshall Chopson

“On the Sleeping Body of God” was originally published in Nazar Look in 2013 and the poem now appears, also, in A Hollow Earth. It was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2013 following its initial publication.

Keep me safe, O God,
I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
 

Without you, nothing makes sense.

And these God-chosen lives all around—
what splendid friends they make!

Don’t just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
like brand-names.

My choice is you, God, first and only.
And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I'M ON THE RIGHT WAY!

Poetry. It can be a little life, a little truth, and many times, said outright in verse or not, a lot of our God. At any rate, your life is a poem too. And you have that special thing with the Poet, one that no one else has. You have your own personal psalms of deliverance or devotion, epic struggles with relationship or righteousness, prayers of delight or deliverance, and sometimes just simple shout outs of thankfulness or trouble. Sometimes those personal psalms are a gut-wrenching shout from the mountain and other times they are a simple whisper in the wind.

You are a bit of a psalmist yourself, whether you know it or not, whether it is written or thought. Sometimes your verse is, "I didn't scream today and I have hope." I know mine often is! But maybe you happen to have a traditional poem, a limerick, just prose, rap, or haiku. Actually, if YOU have any type of poetry that directs our eyes in some kind of THANKFULNESS TO GOD WITH US, please do share!I And I do hope you feel inclined to share because we become better people when we hear someone else's thoughts and they "get it" too, ya know?

I hope to hear from you. And do enjoy your turkey this week!

Oh, and by the way, I didn't scream today and I have hope. *wink*

It's all about the poetry.