Dear God,
I know you’re busy today. I know you have a lot going on. I know that right now, about 7.753 billion people are all grasping for your attention at the same time.
I also know that you do a really good job at what you do. You make the world spin. You make trees do photosynthesis. You made the Atlanta Braves world champions.
I can’t imagine how difficult your gig must be.
So I know the last thing you need right now is one more voice speaking to you. But I am asking you, as a friend, for a favor.
Namely, because when I was a child, my Sunday school class always sang a particular song about you. And for years I believed that this children’s song was true.
I believed this world was not just floating in space. I believed that we were held. I believed that this planet was supported by unseen hands. Two enormous hands.
I did not believe that our earth was on the shoulders of Atlas. I did not believe that our globe was suspended on a Rand McNally stand.
I believed that magnificent hands held our planet. Two hands that were so powerful they could tear the Tetons in two. So mighty, they could uproot sequoias, decimate entire continents, and cause the SEC to win multiple national championships.
With your hands, God, you could reroute rivers, turn planets upside down, and splinter the Andes. With your hands, you could perform neurosurgery on a ladybug, or reorganize molecular biology.
With your hands, you could take the earth, tilt it sideways, like a giant lemonade pitcher. All the seas would be drained, spilled out, and this world would become a Mojave.
With your hands you could rearrange the solar system, like billiard balls on a table.
You could place our planet millions of lightyears from the sun. Life as we know it would cease. We would become colder than the devil’s heart. Colder than Jupiter. Surface temperatures would sink into the negative septillions of degrees.
But once I hit a certain age, I sort of stopped believing in the power of those hands.
Mainly, because I couldn’t see those hands. They were invisible to me. Because I am so small. And you are so, well, so you.
I am like an ant crawling along the basin of the Grand Canyon. I could not comprehend its size. I cannot even see the canyon itself. I can’t see anything.
But, I’ve grown since then.
I choose to believe in your hands. But even now, at this age, if I’m being honest, it is easier not to believe sometimes.
For I have watched loved ones die. I have seen good people suffer. I have watched people tear each other apart. Country against country. Religion against religion. Dodger against Atlanta Brave. This world is one big troubled place.
But I believe steadfastly in those hands because I WANT to believe. I need to believe.
Which is why I ask for those two hands to reach through the layers of the exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere and the troposphere.
I am asking those hands to make their way to the North American continent. To reach through the clouds into Little Rock, Arkansas.
I pray those hands will find the oncology wing of Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
I pray those hands will locate the room where Colton White is sleeping. Touch Colton’s little body. Eradicate his neuroblastoma. Rid his body of pain.
Do it because you can. Do it because miracles are beautiful. Do it because because beauty is your business. Do it because people are your business. Do it because love is your business.
Do it because you an artist, God. And Colton is your among your finest works. Your masterstroke. You broke the mold when you made him. His is your Mona Lisa.
Don’t do it for me, God. Don’t do it for Colton’s mother or father. Don’t even do it Colton himself. Do it for the world, Lord.
Do it so that when Sunday school children around the globe congregate in that little classroom, they will know that the song they sing is true. Truer than true. In fact, in my life, it is the only true statement I know.
He really does have the whole world in his hands.
110 comments
Shannon - August 25, 2022 6:23 am
The whole wide world.
I’ll do my part, minuscule as that might be. I’m over here in sunny Seattle praying with everything I’ve got that Colton is touched by the magic of God.
With love to all.
Shannon Martin
Teri L Phillips - August 25, 2022 10:07 pm
I don’t share my spiritual connection with people, believing in the connection I have, that also falling short I don’t deserve this blessing. Just know as soon as I read this,my connection came over me and I know all of our prayers are being heard.
Steve Winfield (lifer) - August 25, 2022 6:44 am
AMEN
Genevia Pickens - August 25, 2022 8:48 pm
Wow I read this I really don’t like to read it’s hard to get me to read anything that’s over a sentence loan but I read this entire story and it blowed my mind the faith I fell in my spirit in these words spoken are true and genuine and that’s what God wants us to do to believe in him and his power so it’s already done in the name of Jesus…. AMEN 🙌
Lynn B - August 26, 2022 8:06 pm
Genevia, this is one of the most beautiful responses I’ve ever read! I’m thankful for people like you who do the hard things to share your faith with others. I’m so glad you read and wrote way more than a sentence! You are a blessing and a gift! Thank you!
Grant Burris - August 25, 2022 6:47 am
Sean, that was another good one.
PMc - August 25, 2022 7:41 am
I believe in those Hands too, I hope Colton is cradled until his body is healed. I choose complete healing for Colton and so many others.🙏
Peace and Love from Birmingham
Julie Hall - August 25, 2022 9:39 am
I stand in agreement Lord! Amen.
Robert - August 25, 2022 9:42 am
His hands do hold us al. Colton, Sean, Robert and everyone
Ann Thompson - August 25, 2022 9:48 am
He’s I mine. May God help him.
Mary Spechko - August 25, 2022 9:50 am
Beautiful Sean!
Patricia Russell - August 25, 2022 9:53 am
Adding my prayer for Colton to all the others.
Sue - August 25, 2022 9:58 am
I know God can heal Colton but I trust Him to do His will. I don’t know the future and what it holds for any of us. I look around at what goes on every day and I have to question why some people that I think should not be here seem to be thriving and others like Colton that are going through so much and I question why. But I am thankful I am not in charge and trust the One who is. I do know that prayer works and that’s what we are called to do and trust that. Praying for Colton.
Barbara - August 25, 2022 10:10 am
Amen to Sue’s comment. We don’t understand a lot of things because we see things from a human perspective. But God’s ways are higher than our ways. Mark 9:23-24 says “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” I am praying for Colton White and trusting in The Great Physician.
Anne Arthur - August 25, 2022 10:14 am
Amen, and Amen.
Toni R. Young-Huber - August 25, 2022 10:21 am
God, heal Colton and bless him to testify throughout a long and purposed life.
Mary Craig - August 25, 2022 10:23 am
Thank you for starting my day off with such a beautiful prayer. I prayed yesterday for that sweet little boy. God heard us, even if he takes Colton home.
Ernie in River City - August 25, 2022 10:32 am
Thank you for leading us in that beautiful prayer for Colton. We’ll be praying for him. Please keep us informed of his progress.
suzi - August 25, 2022 10:36 am
LET’S GO Prayer Warriors 🙏🏼
Ed (Bear) - August 25, 2022 10:47 am
As I understand it, bad things happen for the greater good of Heaven. I also believe that we all have a purpose. Yours, Sean, appears to be doing what you’re doing. Yours may be the most entertaining and serious prayer that I’ve ever heard.
Time will tell what Colton’s purpose is. Life is not without pain for any of us. We are all praying for Colton along with you.
Diana - August 25, 2022 10:55 am
Prayers for Colton. Amen. 🙏
Ron M - August 25, 2022 10:56 am
Lifting the boy before the Lord.
May Colton experience Your Hands tenderly holding him and the healing he is in need of, flow with coursing power throughout his body, especially attacking the cancer in his brain. May Your Holy Spirit be as a fire removing every cancerous cell through the chemo prescribed. May Colton be freed of the pain of both the cancer and the discomfort of the treatment. We are dependent on You and we acknowledge our frailty and need of Your Intervention. So it is In Your Son’s Name, Jesus, trusting your Words and Invitation to do so, we gather in agreement lifting this request, multiple voices, with single heart and in one accord, Father, as Your Children. Amen
Chuck Dewing - August 25, 2022 10:57 am
Beautiful! Lord have mercy!
Richard’s Sister - August 25, 2022 11:16 am
We’ll join you in prayers for sweet Colton. We’ve experienced His miracle healing. It was a healing that couldn’t be explained in any other way. Thank you, SoS, for your thoughtful prose that will being so many entreaties for the little on in Little Rock.
Linda Kerr - August 25, 2022 11:23 am
And, “Jeu loves me, this I know..”
ALISON W BREWER - August 25, 2022 11:30 am
Amen. He is a big and good God
Kevin - August 25, 2022 11:32 am
Praying for Colton.
jmoore61548hotmailcom - August 25, 2022 11:32 am
If you felt led to help in some way, here is a link to donate to Arkansas Children’s Hospitals Foundation: https://www.archildrens.org/support-us. Prayers going up for Colton and his family.
Bobbie Jo Bright - August 25, 2022 11:36 am
I happen to be in Little Rock today. Is there anything that you know of that I could put my hands on and take to Colton’s family today?
Vanessa - August 25, 2022 11:48 am
Sean — what a beautiful prayer! I have tears in my eyes and I’m so thankful for your beautiful writings!!
Rick - August 25, 2022 11:52 am
Amen! God is the healer of all things!
sjhl7 - August 25, 2022 11:53 am
Praying for Colton, his family and his health care providers! May God bless him and keep him, may Colton be restored to good health and live a long and fruitful life. Amen.
Marc Beaver - August 25, 2022 11:57 am
Yes!! Yes!!
Kathy Thomson - August 25, 2022 12:05 pm
I pray and affirm this with you. Amen.
Nan Williams - August 25, 2022 12:07 pm
Beautiful. Precious. Thank you.
Linda Lewis - August 25, 2022 12:20 pm
Beautifully written sentiment. He does have the whole world in His hands. I pray that God answers your prayer.
LAMAR Martin - August 25, 2022 12:29 pm
Excellent. One of your best that captures the complexity and the ability of God.
Priscilla Rodgers - August 25, 2022 12:33 pm
Amen!
Susan - August 25, 2022 12:37 pm
Praying for Colton🙏♥️
Rebecca Daffin - August 25, 2022 12:38 pm
Praying Colton has a long, healthy and happy life on this earth. When my daughter, Beth, was killed at 16, it was almost unbearable. But by the grace of God and so many praying friends and family, I came to understand that my constant prayer for my children had actually come true. I always prayed that my children would be healthy, happy and close to God. Beth, who is in heaven, is all three. As a mother who still misses her so much, I rejoice in the time I had her and her life in eternity. She is in His hands forever.
Gary - August 25, 2022 12:38 pm
Amen !
Trent - August 25, 2022 12:39 pm
🙏Mark9:24🙏
Stacey Brandenberger - August 25, 2022 12:47 pm
Yes He does!!!
Norman Turnipseed - August 25, 2022 12:48 pm
All I can say is that this one is gold and the best one I have read.
May GOD bless you and keep you .
I hope GOD will hear this and heal little Colton.
Jessica Llewallyn - August 25, 2022 12:50 pm
Praying this prayer with you. Amen
April - August 25, 2022 12:51 pm
Sean , I’ve been struggling to feel truly connected to God lately but this morning after reading Colton’s story and your stunning description of our God , our Creator , it brought me back to His feet ! He is AWESOME and all Love! He longs for our fellowship . He doesn’t need us. He wants us!
Your words are a true gift . You’re raw, honest and inspiring !
We are lifting Colton to Jesus until he is healed ! Disease is of this world , not of God. Cancer , leave Colton’s body NOW! Jesus , thank you for your healing power and restoring strength and wellness to Colton’s body.
One more thing .. you may really enjoy Center of your love by Jesus Culture.
Thank you for being bold ! YOU’RE AWESOME
April
Cliff McCurry - August 25, 2022 12:53 pm
Beautiful message of faith today, thank you!
MR - August 25, 2022 12:54 pm
Amen.
bubbastubbsBubba Stubbs - August 25, 2022 12:57 pm
Beautiful…simply beautiful.
Paul McCutchen - August 25, 2022 1:05 pm
Colton will give me something good to pray for.
jan averett - August 25, 2022 1:05 pm
Wow, thank you for sharing this Sean. Indeed God does have the whole world in His hands. Unfortunately we sure have a way of messing things up. I pray that this touches many hears, that God answers this prayer request and that Colton and many others are healed. He is our mighty physician, our miracle worker. Our Loving Fathers.
maxnayagus - August 25, 2022 1:09 pm
Amen, Fine Man, God’s Boy. xo
Sean of the South: Little Rock, Arkansas | The Trussville Tribune - August 25, 2022 1:24 pm
[…] By Sean Dietrich, Sean of the South […]
Nancy - August 25, 2022 1:31 pm
I stand in agreement with the prayers for Colton. Dear LORD, I pray that You will be given all the glory for Your answered prayers. I pray that Colton feels the tenderness of Your hands holding him and the comfort and warmth They provide. I pray his family be given such a sense of peace knowing You are their Jehovah Rapha. Thank You, LORD, for Your mercy, love, and compassion for this family. In Jesus’s name, Amen
Debbie - August 25, 2022 2:28 pm
Amen🙏
Larry TYree - August 25, 2022 1:34 pm
And do it for 9-year old Logan in Connecticut, my grandson, who is having enormous health challenges!
Carolyn Hammons - August 25, 2022 1:52 pm
Yes, Lord!
David Britnell - August 25, 2022 1:56 pm
Sean, you have a beautiful heart. Thank you for your public prayer for Colton. These beautiful little children deserve to see and experience life as we know it. I was very moved by your prayer and I know God must be moved also. Lord please bring healing in Jesus name. Amen
kenpearson2a5a64c42c - August 25, 2022 2:07 pm
I live in North Little Rock. I will add Colton to my prayer list. Thank you for letting us know about this need.
Linda - August 25, 2022 2:08 pm
Sean, you must have stock in Kleenex. Your stories- even though they are good news stories- nearly always make me cry. Thank you for being possibly the only writer on the planet who writes good news stories.
MARK CALDWELL - August 25, 2022 2:31 pm
What a great thought and prayer for one of God’s special children. Praying for Colton.
Susie Flick - August 25, 2022 2:36 pm
Prayers for Colton. We all have him in our hands.
SLP - August 25, 2022 2:40 pm
Wow 🤩 well spoken 🙏🏻
Deena - August 25, 2022 2:42 pm
Praying for little Colton today. It’s hard to believe sometimes, about Those Hands, but They are real and one day He will answer all questions that we can’t figure out the Why – Faith- belief in things not seen.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
B - August 25, 2022 3:00 pm
That’s beautiful, Sean. Blessings.
Cindy - August 25, 2022 3:07 pm
Praying for Colton that God’s healing power will touch this precious boy. ❤️🙏🏼
LIN ARNOLD - August 25, 2022 3:09 pm
Sometimes it is incredibly hard, if not impossible, to see God’s plan. But hindsight is a miraculous thing. My mother’s dementia took 15+ years to finally send her to heaven. But God knew that my sister & I needed that time to accept her death. My father’s cancer only took 4 months to send him to heaven. But God knew that my Dad couldn’t deal with losing Mom, so He took him first, just 8 months before he took my Mom. It’s comforting to know they’re together … in heaven … dancing to the old tunes from the ’40’s. As hard as it was to lose my parents so close together, it’s a wonderful feeling to know that they’re together and enjoying eternity together.
Linda Strubel - August 25, 2022 3:11 pm
Amen!
Cathy M - August 25, 2022 3:29 pm
You did not write this beautiful prayer alone. You wrote it with God’s help. No doubt in my mind. I will pray for precious Colton, his parents, his Drs. And the nurses. May God surround them with strength, peace and comfort. 💙🙏🏻🤏
olivebeverly - August 25, 2022 3:40 pm
Our prayers rise like incense before the throne of God!
Diane McGinnis - August 25, 2022 3:49 pm
Thank you, Sean. I am a 71 year old Sunday school teacher who has trouble believing some time. My heart knows, but my head is so confused. Thank you.
Karen - August 25, 2022 3:49 pm
Thank you for your prayer for the child in Little Rock. I’m praying that prayer for a beautiful lady in Pensacola who started a new treatment this morning. I pray God intervenes and heals her too! Thanks Sean.
Pat Reeves - August 25, 2022 4:07 pm
Wow! Amen and Amen 🙏🏻
KATY CHILD OF JESUS - August 25, 2022 4:11 pm
🙏💖 IN JESUS’ NAME, WE PRAY, AMEN 💖🙏
Sue Adams - August 25, 2022 4:21 pm
Amen brother!
Linda Moon - August 25, 2022 4:25 pm
I wonder and I question, maybe too much. But this world with each life that ever was or ever will be is created with purpose. And that’s what I believe about Colton and the the LIFE he’s been given by God. Tears will come if/when his young LIFE ends and then ultimately be replaced with hope in God’s love for Eternity.
Jocelyn - August 25, 2022 4:29 pm
Praying for little Colton. May God’s hands touch him and his parents.
Molly McCorkindale - August 25, 2022 4:51 pm
Oh, my dear God, (and dear Sean), thank you for answering our prayers for my great-grandson. Doctors discovered that he had a form of leukemia just before his fourth birthday, He was flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. God must live there. The doctors and nurses must be angels from heaven and were truly wonderful to our little guy. Last month at the age of seven, he rang the bell announcing the end of his cancer! We had thousands of people praying for him all around the world–one person would tell another person and who would tell another person, and so on. Jacob is a live wire now, enjoying his days at school–he had been doing zoom education for the past two years, and this was his first time to experience a “first day at school.” He was able to attend for most of the last semester, but this time, it’s all new again. So, thank you, God, for using the hands and hearts of all of the people at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I can’t say enough good things about them!
DiAn - August 25, 2022 5:09 pm
Sean – This really IS one of my FAVORITE songs. I gives me HOPE whenever I’m in despair over our careless treatment of this beautiful EARTH and the bountiful resources that you’ve so generously bestowed upon all living beings!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer. Our Lord Truly Does Have The WHOLE WORLD in his HANDS. – AMEN.
– DiAn 💕
Sue Little - August 25, 2022 5:52 pm
Beautiful!!!!!!! Praying now!
Barbaravanvranken - August 25, 2022 6:38 pm
One of your best columns❤️❤️🙏⚜️⚜️
Eileen in Fla. - August 25, 2022 7:02 pm
Took me reading on to hear the prayer. Beautifully beseeched. I’m now praying for Colton and the world too.
Joe - August 25, 2022 7:10 pm
Amen
MAM - August 25, 2022 7:29 pm
Truly, the only word that needs to be said is: AMEN! God DOES have the world in His hands!
Karen - August 26, 2022 3:52 pm
Colton is in my prayers.
Mike Stamps - August 25, 2022 7:33 pm
Amen. You’re on target. He can. !
Gene Prince - August 25, 2022 7:34 pm
Amen.
Carla Walrath - August 25, 2022 8:00 pm
Please, dear Lord, what he said.
patriciasimmonstaylor - August 25, 2022 8:06 pm
Oh my goodness….Sean this is one of your best, if not your BEST writing that I have read so far. Our faith gets low sometimes but God’s healing does not…He heals people all the time, either gives them more time on this earth or takes them Home to heal them ultimately. I’ve been there… when my son had a severe head injury and I begged God to let him live and many others prayed for him too…he did live, but 2 1/2 years later, the Lord came and got him in his sleep. I thought about when Hezekiah was very sick and told he was going to die, to get his affairs in order,( 2nd Kings 15-19) when he asked God for more time, and He gave him 15 more years and then came and got him. He did heal my son and now his Dad is there with him too…I pray for precious Colton that God will give him more time too…hopefully many years…In Jesus’ name I pray. He truly does have the whole world in His hands…Thank You God that you are going to help Colton! Thank you Sean for sharing your heart.
Mary Joann Wilson - August 25, 2022 8:12 pm
Oh my God. Sweetness. Thank you.
Leah - August 25, 2022 8:54 pm
Ohhh prayers for that sweet lil boy!!
God does have us in his hands…
It took my Mama dying of a glioblastoma brain tumor to realize that!
God works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he?!
One day..(I believe with all of my heart) I will SEE mama again (I know because after she died .. I heard a verse saying absent from the body, present with the Lord.
I started reading about my mamas Lord.. & he has now become mine. He’s awesome .. & ONE day, if one chooses to believe in him.. we will see The hands that held us all:).. Jesus.. we thank you!
Wanda S Proctor - August 25, 2022 9:29 pm
God is a doctor that hasn’t lost a case. If doesn’t heal Colton it’s not because he can’t heal . God has another plan for Cloton’ s life. Be still and wait on the Lord. WSProctor
pattymack43 - August 25, 2022 9:57 pm
Amen!
cajuntiger74 - August 25, 2022 10:28 pm
Amen and Amen. Beautiful prayer. So powerful. I join you in praying for Colton White.
Carol - August 25, 2022 11:52 pm
Yes He does! Amen!
Chasity Davis Ritter - August 26, 2022 1:33 am
Lord please hear Sean’s words as I read them with my whole heart and soul so YOU might hear them in plea once again…Lord hear our prayers. Please touch Colton White. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Karen Snyder - August 26, 2022 4:42 am
He hears every prayer. I have added mine that Colton and all those who love and care for him will feel His loving touch. 🙏🏻
Odell Frye - August 26, 2022 7:36 am
Thanks again for words to open our eyes a bit more
Dixie Hill - August 26, 2022 11:38 am
Prayers for Colton White. My son died with neuroblastoma cancer 50 years ago. My great nephew survived having it 20 years ago. Good advances have been made to keep these children alive. I pray Colton is a survivor!! 🙏❤️
Denise DeVries - August 26, 2022 12:52 pm
Very well said & I too believe He has the whole world in His hands. God bless you Sean, and I will also pray for Colton.
Ann of…🤗 - August 26, 2022 4:46 pm
🙏😔👏🥰
Granny - August 26, 2022 10:21 pm
Amen Lord. You’re all we’ve got and need.
Jody - August 27, 2022 12:11 am
Amen
Donna - August 27, 2022 2:00 am
Amen
Buddy Caudill - August 27, 2022 2:31 am
Amen !!
Debbie g - August 27, 2022 11:29 am
Amen 🙏🙏🙏
c lyn burnette - August 28, 2022 1:18 pm
Please, God. Amen
zeddiewaldo - August 29, 2022 6:29 pm
Write on Sean. Good post. We are all connected, whether we believe it or not. -Zed
CHARALEEN WRIGHT - August 30, 2022 6:10 am
❤️
Cy Laurent - September 9, 2022 11:15 pm
How’s Colton White doing.