Letters to and from God
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Writing letters to God—and imagining God's responses—creates profound spiritual connections that transcend traditional prayer boundaries. The Jewish practice of kvittel writing, historically associated with leaving notes at the Western Wall, takes on transformative power when expanded into a two-way correspondence exercise. Drawing upon pastoral experience implementing letter-writing practices with children and adults, this research explores how structured divine dialogue affects spiritual engagement and theological understanding. Participants first compose personal letters to God expressing their deepest concerns, gratitudes, and questions, then craft responses "as if they were God" through therapeutic role-reversal techniques. Analysis of correspondence samples across age groups reveals consistent patterns: human letters predominantly focus on world peace and questions about suffering, while divine "responses" reflect compassion, non-interventionist theology, and affirmation. Participants report significant emotional release, spiritual insights, and a heightened sense of divine accessibility through this practice. The technique proves especially valuable in pastoral counseling contexts, providing spiritual access for those lacking traditional prayer tools. This expanded kvittel tradition effectively bridges personal spiritual expression and liturgical practice, offering both cathartic release and deeper theological understanding while maintaining appropriate boundaries between human and divine identity.

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Published 1992
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Elie Spitz