François Fénelon

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Articles & Essays by François Fénelon

Letter

To a Friend Wondering How to Pray

Published November, 2007 • Featured January 13, 2023

Winn Collier shares an accessible paraphrase of François Fénelon’s 17^th century letter to someone who — like many of us — craves practical guidance for moving deeper into conversation with God.

Article

Surrender to His Plans

Published June, 1992 • Featured December 2, 2022

A spiritual direction letter from 17^th century pastor François Fénelon helps us trust ourselves to God’s expert surgery on our souls — cutting away the things that bind and blind us so that we are free to live under his reign.

Letter from Let Go

The Gift of Weakness and The Need for Practice

Published January, 1973 • Featured August 21, 2020

With inimitable wisdom and grace, Fenélon helps a friend welcome weakness as a gift, and reminds him that spiritual knowledge is only helpful to the extent that it is put into practice.

Article

Accept Your Weakness

Featured August 22, 2019

There is nothing quite like a letter from an old friend. This letter is from a friend and brother whom we have not yet met. But, across the years, his love is palpable and his wisdom sound. Come and savor the words of François Fénelon.

Book Excerpt from The Seeking Heart

Practice Staying in God's Presence

Featured August 18, 2019

François Fénelon reminds us here that most of the struggles we face in the with-God life are not giant sins, but rather the seemingly inconsequential peccadillos that gradually drive a wedge between the life we want and the life we lead.

Book Excerpt

Sinking into the Will of God

Featured February 6, 2018

François Fénelon offers insight into what it means to truly surrender to God. He advises caution, lest we make submission an achievement, rather than a journey toward the peace of sinking into God’s will.

Book Excerpt from The Seeking Heart

Lean Toward Love

Featured October 24, 2017

Much like a vintage photograph we come across in a thrift store, this letter from Fénelon possesses a mysterious backstory. We may not know the intended recipient or what exactly was troubling his or her mind, but Fénelon’s encouraging words stretch across the ages to meet us with full relevance.

Book Excerpt from The Seeking Heart

Live Day by Day

Featured March 7, 2017

God will give us everything we need. A truth so easy to state and sometimes so hard to live. Brian Morykon shares some advice and insight from François Fénelon on ​“completely surrendering to God.”