Before becoming a fulltime pastor, I had the privilege of teaching students about agriculture, natural resources, and leadership. As a part of those responsibilities, I served as an Advisor for the Central Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter and have many great memories of students and activities.
At that time, the FFA had a program to known as Building Our American Communities. FFA members were encouraged to research their local settings to find out what needs existed and then create partnerships to meet those needs cooperatively with other groups. Chapters that did well received BOAC recognition on state and national levels.
To help chapters, limited grants were available in Virginia through the state government and local chapters could apply annually for these moneys. Although the amounts were never large enough to meet all needs, they did offset some expenses of various projects.
This small experience along with a little exposure through Family Promise of Shenandoah County completes my grant-writing resume. My hat is off to those in both public and private sectors who regularly apply for funding of initiatives through various granting entities. It can be very tedious and usually requires much research as well as detailed writing.
One of the keys to being favorably considered by grantors, I understand, is to be specific as to how the proposed use of granted funds will address the concerns of those providing the money. If the grantors are concerned about underserved populations, the request must clearly indicate how any money would address that issue. If the grantors wish to preserve an endangered species, the application must delineate how funds would help save that plant or animal.
Those who are Christians submit many grant requests. Every prayer of petition is an application for God’s assistance in some way. It may be for physical healing, financial provision, or better relationships. Many times our prayers consist of a variety of requests both for ourselves and for others that cover a multitude of needs and/or desires. We lay our petitions before God’s throne and wait in eager expectation.
Let me suggest that the same strategy for grant writing can be very useful in prayer. God is more prone to answer our prayers when they align with His will for us and for the world. Simply praying for Him to make us rich may actually contradict His desire for us to value spiritual aspects above financial ones. Although we all want to be worry-free, sometimes God’s higher goal is for us to learn contentment even in the midst of stress.
There’s nothing wrong with praying for healing or for financial blessings, however, we should consider how we might use whatever health or wealth He provides to advance His causes. Too often we use all of His blessings purely for personal pleasure without employing them to glorify Him or bless others.
As we read and study His Word, we become familiar with what causes and desires He supports. The Bible’s teachings can instruct us how to tailor our prayers to align with His will. In addition, the Holy Spirit can serve as our grant-writing assistant Who knows the Father’s heart and can help us ask according to His desires. Not just to get what we want to use on our selfish pursuits, but to pursue His wishes in all godliness and honesty. Unlike human grantors, God knows when we’re padding our applications or misleading Him.
Many granting organizations also require a follow-up report on how their funds were used. This accountability helps ensure their resources accomplished their stated purposes. Although we don’t have to file a written report on how we use God’s grants, He’s well aware of our faithfulness or lack thereof in using His gifts to achieve His desires. As we think about applying for various grants, let it remind us of our prayers and may we ask according to God’s will and then use whatever He provides to accomplish His purposes. Blessings, George