Writing Opportunity: The Incredible Power of Prayer

"Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart."—Mother Teresa

Guideposts Is Sponsoring: The Incredible Power of Prayer

Prayer—the heartbeat of the Christian life—is an amazing gift from God to us. A prayer in faith can spur God's heart to "move mountains" on our behalf. The incredible power of prayer can accomplish miracles that go far beyond anything we humans can accomplish on our own.

Guideposts reaches millions of Americans with their upbeat message of God empowering us. And now, Guideposts is launching a series of 12 books on various aspects of prayer and how people from every walk of life have been transformed through God's responses. These books will be mailed monthly as part of a book club promotion, and will be exclusive to their readership.

Praying from the Heart

The series compiler, James Stuart Bell, is now collecting submissions for the first three books in the series and would welcome as many stories as you wish to submit. The first volume is Praying from the Heart and covers God answering our deeply felt prayers of great passion, sincerity, and trust. These prayers may be repentant, express deep gratitude, or describe desperate cries that lay bare a person's deepest needs.

The Healing Touch

The second volume, The Healing Touch, deals with stories about prayers that lead to physical, spiritual, relational, or emotional healing. They may involve relationships that don't resolve perfectly, but bring a closer relationship with God and a new sense of purpose and greater ability.

Expecting Miracles

The third volume, Expecting Miracles, includes personal experience stories about audacious prayers with powerful answers. This is where the need is great and God responds extraordinarily. The answers don't need to be purely supernatural; God can work in mysterious ways using all kinds of means.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions can be up to 2000 words. Each story should have a creative title, an attention-grabbing lead, main body explaining a conflict or challenge, and a resolution. These need to be descriptive and compelling personal experience stories—not simply testimonies. We prefer original stories but you may also submit previously published stories. The payment is $25 for stories under 1000 words, and $50 for longer stories. You may retain the rights to publish the stories in magazines and books with smaller distribution sources.

Deadline: Now until at least June 15, 2009 for the first three volumes. Finalists for the first volume will be announced around October 15.

Please include on each manuscript—not in headers or simply in the e-mail—your name, contact information (address, phone, e-mail, rights offered) and a bio of up to 30 words. Please attach to the e-mail rather than pasting text in the body.

Send to: Please direct all inquiries and manuscript submissions to Jeanette Littleton at IncrediblePrayers@earthlink.net.

Writing Contests and Calls for Submissions

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”—Ray Bradbury

Below you will find some opportunities for writers under the influence of an addiction to writing. For details, click on the links below.

Writing/Photo/Video Contest
Free contest. Judges will choose two writers and two photographs/videos based on the theme “intercultural communication and friendship.” Contestants should submit written pieces or photos/videos that demonstrate the promotion of cross-cultural understanding, friendship, and support for one another in their own community or abroad.

Prizes: The two Grand Prize winners of the Writing and Photo/Video contest will each receive one FREE two-week volunteer Quest to any of our short-term locations around the world. Airfare is not included. The two individuals who win Honorable Mention will receive 50% off one two-week Quest to any of our Short-Term locations as well. Grand Prize and Honorable Mention submissions will be published on the UP website, eNewsletter, and YouTube page.

The Gift of Freedom Contest Winner to Receive a $50,000 Grant
This contest offers a grant of $50,000 to one female writer who loves her work, seeks to improve, is community-minded, and is financially burdened. The application process is lengthy, but it is an amazing program. The Gift of Freedom supports women who have a track record of commitment to their art and who are also making a substantial effort to be self-sufficient. The successful applicant will have a well-articulated creative project concept and a clear plan for how it may accomplished. The next grant cycle will be in 2009.

Writing Contest for Fantasy Writers
Write a fantasy story, between 1,000 and 4,500 words long, inspired by the lovely piece of art. No entry fee. Deadline September 30, 2008. Top winner will receive an e-copy of the issue of the magazine and a standard SF/F magazine contract and will be paid to publish their story in the magazine. They will also receive their choice of a free print copy of the issue OR a mug with the front cover of the issue pictured along with their name and the title of their story. Runners-up will receive a choice between a mug with the cover of the issue or a free print copy of the issue.

12th Annual Robert Frost Foundation Annual Poetry Award
Write a poem “in the spirit of Robert Frost.” You can submit up to three poems. Prior published work may be submitted; for all work submitted to the Robert Frost Foundation, you retain copyright and the Robert Frost Foundation will request your permission if we choose to publish your work on our web site or in other foundation publications. Accepts email submissions. Deadline is September 15, 2008. $10 entry fee.

Poetry Submissions
Level 4 Press, Inc. seeks contemporary poetry to publish in its many poetry anthologies. Poets included receive a free copy of the anthology per poem included. Our focus is on high quality writing in general, and we have a particular interest in poetry. Roughly, 75% of our titles are poetry related. Our titles have already garnered 9 gold medals and 28 finalist awards in various literary contests.

Fiction Submissions
Green Mountain Review wants submission for stories around the themes "Shame" and "Glory" for an upcoming all-fiction double issue. Submission deadline is January 2, 2009.