PRAYERS

Footprints in the
Sand Poem
by Ryan Hart Updated on January 31,
2019

In this post I’m going to share with you

the Footprints in the Sand prayer and why
it’s such a special poem for Christians.

In fact:

Many people believe that the poem is

actually about Jesus’ footprints, not
God’s.

Ready to learn the footprints prayer?

Let’s get started!

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream. I was
walking along the beach with my
Lord. Across the dark sky flashed
scenes from my life. For each scene, I
noticed two sets of footprints in the
sand, one belonging to me and one to
my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot

before me I looked back at the
footprints in the sand. There was only
one set of footprints. I realized that
this was at the lowest and saddest
times of my life. This always bothered
me and I questioned the Lord about
my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to

follow You, You would walk and talk
with me all the way. But I'm aware
that during the most troublesome
times of my life there is only one set
of footprints. I just don't understand
why, when I need You most, You
leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I

love you and will never leave you,
never, ever, during your trials and
testings. When you saw only one set
of footprints, it was then that I
carried you."

Footprints in the Sand

Meaning
The Footprints in the Sand prayer is
special to so many Christians because it
speaks directly to our unique relationship
with God. Our faith in God does not
excuse us from experiencing hardship and
sadness.

The reality is that we all go through ups

and downs in our lives. Sometimes God
walks beside us, and other times He must
carry us.

When times are good, we are quick to

thank God for his kindness. For instance,
when we meet our soulmate, it feels as if
God put two people in the same place for a
very special purpose - like it was meant to
be.

If we were to look behind us the first time

we met our spouse, we would see two sets
of footprints: “one belonging to me and
one to my Lord.”

On the other hand, when our

relationships are rocky, it can often feel
like God is no longer working to keep us
together with the person we love so much.
No matter what we try, we cannot recreate
that same spark we had the day we first
met the love of our life.

When times are tough and we turn around

to look at our footprints in the sand, we
might only see one set of footprints.

You might assume, since there is only one

set of footprints in the sand, that they are
your own. After all, when we pray for
God’s guidance but our relationships do
not immediately improve, it feels like God
is no longer walking with us.

Suddenly, it feels like we are alone on this

journey.

During troublesome times in your life, you

might wonder, like the author of
Footprints in the Sand, why when you
need God the most, He would leave you?

The truth is that He was with you all

along, even when you were sad. However,
instead of walking beside you, he was
carrying you.

One of the most inspiring lines from the

poem is when God says “When you saw
only one set of footprints, it was then that
I carried you.”

Although the Footprints in the Sand

prayer does not appear in the bible, some
believe that it’s based on scripture. For
instance, Deuteronomy 1:31 says “There
you saw how the Lord your God carried
you, as a father carries his son, all the way
you went until you reached this place.”

This bible verse shares much of the same

sentiment as the poem. When we need
help, God carries us like a father carries
his child.

Now It's Your Turn

And now I’d like to hear from you.

Where did you first learn Footprints in the

Sand?

What does the footprints prayer mean to

you?

Either way let me know by leaving a

comment below right now.

About the Author:

Ryan Hart is an author and

man of faith. Learn how a
forgotten 100-year-old prayer
changed his life. Connect with
Ryan by sending him your
prayer request.

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