Lord God, beautiful Creator,

I have yet to create anything.

From mud pies to masterpieces,

everything I have formed or fashioned

has been a simple, sometimes crude, rearrangement

of your mighty works.

I have ever and always used the raw materials you provide

to make something that seemed new

but was in reality an imitation of you,

of your words,

your wonders.

Sometimes, I confess,

I have cravenly tried to imitate

others who imitate you:

poets, prophets, and preachers,

artists and musicians,

whose gifts for reflecting your beauty and imagination

inspire awe and envy in me.

But they are imitators, too.

So save me, Lord,

from imitating other imitators.

Grant that I may always–

and with increasing artistry–

imitate only you,

the sole Creator,

the true Innovator,

the only Originator of all beauty and creativity,

in Jesus’ name, amen.