150+ Christian Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. If you’re looking for the best Christian short stories, whether they’re funny, didactic, or inspirational, this page is for you.

🏆 Winning stories

The Protracted, Peculiar, and Probably Quite Pointless Trial of Bertie Masturbine

W B

Winner of Contest #329 🏆

Rather than enjoying the miracle of life, humankind has generally chosen the opposite – they have tried to understand it. More specifically, since the first caveman scribbled on the walls of his home, humankind has questioned what comes afterwards. Broadly, there are three schools of thought. Some think there’s nothing. Logical, if a bit dull. Some ‘don’t believe in, like, heaven and hell and all that stuff but feel, y’know, like there must be something out there, like, death can’t be the end, right?’ This is the most insufferable school of ...

109 likes

97 comments 97

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An Afterlife Denied

James Scott

Winner of Contest #314 🏆

It was almost impossible to make out the lone figure, shuffling slowly across the expanse of sand, far below. Only his movement gave him away. Wrapped in pale shreds of clothing, caked in tan grit and burnt red by the oppressive sun, he was all but a part of the desert already. Anubis, crouched in the shade of a rocky outcrop, panted his jackal tongue in an effort to cool himself. The heat of the clear day was extreme, the weight of its pressure, unrelenting. He pressed as much of his bare skin against the rocks as possible, his fingers spre...

136 likes

111 comments 111

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10 Ways to Explain Your Husband's Death to Your Son

Zack Powell

Winner of Contest #163 🏆

Content warning: Themes of death***1. Tell the truthBe gentle but honest. This is your son's first time experiencing death, his only rodeo.He is five years old, wild-eyed and sugar-crazed and baby-toothed. A sweet boy. He doesn't complain about going to church or preschool. He picks up the toy cars in his room without being asked, lowers the seat after using the toilet. Some days you feel as though you've won the lottery.At night, he helps you say grace. Eyes closed, hands clasped over a plate of hot dog mac and cheese, he prays for God to w...

271 likes

189 comments 189

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⭐️ Recommended stories

A Touch of Heaven

Stephanie Redieske

Shortlisted for Contest #213 ⭐️

“Look around you,” Grandpa whispered as he gently rested his left hand on my right shoulder, and waved out in front of us with his right. “This is what I see every day now.” I looked out over rolling emerald hills, towering, snow covered mountains in the distance, and glistening, white-capped waves crashing into the sandy coast. I had never seen so much natural beauty in one glimpse. I thought to take a picture, but I didn’t want to move for fear of losing the moment. A warm breeze blew my hair softly behind me, and the faint sound of chir...

53 likes

21 comments 21

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A Simple Act of Kindness

Murray Burns

Shortlisted for Contest #195 ⭐️

A Simple Act of Kindness“The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.”-Amelia EarhartRule #1- Four downs to get the ball across the goal line (telephone pole); no first downs.Rule #2- Pass rusher must count three “Mississippies” before rushing the quarterback. (No cheating.)Rule #3- No catching the ball on a bounce off the side or roof of a garage.Rule #4- If football goes into Mr. Radtke’s yard, leave ball, run home, and the kid responsible for sending the ball into the forbidden zone shall endure th...

55 likes

30 comments 30

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A Raw Deal with the Devil

Augustine Maddox

Shortlisted for Contest #188 ⭐️

(Story contains allusions to torture, but no actual depictions of it) “So, what’s the catch?” The demon hesitated. The sulfurous smoke billowing from his form dissipated slightly as his concentration wavered. His wings drooped. The arm he had been holding out lowered; the contract in hand, written in red ink on shining golden paper, dimmed. “The…catch?” He rumbled, bemused. “I thought I had explained it well enough. At the hour of your departure from the earthly realm, you willingly forfeit your soul. Thenceforth it will be entrusted to...

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3 comments 3

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The Married Prophet

Alicia Young

Submitted to Contest #335

I didn't want to tell her that I slept with him. I didn't want to tell anyone, other than my sister of whom I'd already spoken to. Still, the conviction and unsettling in my chest told me that I should talk to someone. I thought if anything, I could at least ask her questions about him that would help bring me peace. I exited my red SUV, closing the door and heading for the house with my fingers twisting and fidgeting with each other. I arched my back to stretch my chest in hopes that it would cause some ease. Per usual routine, I rang the b...

1 like

0 comments 0

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The Cocoon

William Pepper

Submitted to Contest #335

Troy had been married now for two years. His wife, Sarah, was a kind woman who loved her husband and would do anything for him. They used to have so much fun together. They traveled town to town looking for any adventure they could get caught up in. When they weren’t traveling Troy was busy with his band. For years now he had chased his dream of making it big in the music business. Sarah was his biggest supporter and fan, but her joy began to dwindle the more Troy drank. She didn’t notice it all that much at first, but now with a ...

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Unawares

John Tyler

Submitted to Contest #335

George sat tapping his foot impatiently. Millie was still putting on her makeup, even though church started in 10 minutes. Hard drops of rain pounded the old roof of their two bedroom house as Millie yelled out, “I’ll just be another minute!” “Better hurry,” said George, spitting tobacco into an empty coke bottle. Just then Millie came out of the bathroom. Even with her tired eyes, her bouncy brown curls and plump cheeks made many people guess she was younger than 40. George quickly hid his coke bottle spitter. Millie believed tobacco to be ...

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The Reserved Void

Jessica Robinson

Submitted to Contest #335

The air in Evan’s transparent penthouse didn’t circulate; it lingered, filtered and chilled to a precise sixty-eight degrees with a hint of peppermint. It was the scent of a life without friction. He sat at his glass desk, staring at the digital readout of his quarterly earnings—numbers that long ago ceased to represent money and had become merely a high score in a game he was tired of playing.“You look tired, Evan,” a voice said. It was soft, melodic, and came from the air itself.He didn’t look up. “I’m not tired, Lyra. I’m just finished.”“...

5 likes

2 comments 2

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Three Rocks

James Butz

Submitted to Contest #335

She took a deep, deliberate breath, then coughed as she hung up the phone. Therapy sessions hadn’t been working the way they used to. Maybe it was time for a new therapist, she thought. She sat for a few minutes, contemplating her next move—yoga or an old movie were the first options that came to mind. She coughed again, then sneezed, her sandy brown hair bouncing forward. A general malaise settled over her, and she knew she was at the early, critical point of an illness.Damn, I know I’m out of vitamin C and zinc tablets, she thought.It was ...

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The true meaning of Christmas

Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #335

"How you feel about your family is a complicated thing. Deep down, you'll always love them. But you can forget that you love them, and you can hurt them and they can hurt you, and that's not just because you're young." Old Man Marley, Home Alone. Oh here we go…brace, brace… "Good morning everyone, it’s Holly and Jamie here with you this morning on Heart FM It's the 1st of December and I’m so excited to play the lady of the season…Maria, take it away ’aaaayyyyaaaa I don’t want a lot for Christmas....." Major hot flush incoming, blood press...

3 likes

2 comments 2

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Ornaments of Grace

Austin Arnett

Submitted to Contest #335

ORNAMENTS OF GRACE Introduction The train slowed as it pulled into the small station, its whistle echoing across frosted fields, its brakes sighing like a weary traveler. Clara pressed her forehead against the cold glass and wondered to herself if she had made the right decision. Should she have gone home? But how could she? She would be a disgrace to her father! However, the consequences of a life with her new husband absolutely terrified her. Clara did not know what she was doing, or why she had chosen Pittsburg, Texas, as her destination,...

5 likes

1 comment 1

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I'll Say Something Next Time

Liora Marie

Submitted to Contest #335

Author’s Note: This piece contains themes of emotional and spiritual abuse, religious trauma, homophobia, and references to self-harm and death (metaphorical)I would give anything to be like him. Loud. Radiant. Unapologetic. Free. I wasn’t. He was a hurricane. And at best… I was a pitiful gust of wind barely stirring up dust in this godforsaken town. He always said what he needed. And always meant what he said. Instead, I danced around the bush as my… charming mother would say. It’s not that I didn’t want to…. But… I couldn’t. I was scared...

13 likes

6 comments 6

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Oh How She Hungers

CONSTANCE ROGERS

Submitted to Contest #335

Light cast through the church, as if God was reaching a hand into the space to remind the few lingering congregation members of the Heavenly embrace that resided upon them. Its glow passed through the stained glass windows, and landed upon the hung head of the statue of Jesus upon the cross. “In the name of the Father…” Father Berkaman drew the sign of cross upon his chest in reverence, before crossing the stage to a smaller atrium. The last kneeling occupant finished her prayer, before rising and departing. Father Berkaman inclined his head...

6 likes

1 comment 1

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THE ZOOM CALL

Carl Birt

Submitted to Contest #335

I looked at my watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. Just another 5 minutes before the scheduled ZOOM call. I had prepared for this all week. The call itself shouldn’t last any more than 45 minutes, and then I’d be free.I had plans to run home and after a quick shower and change of clothes We’d be on our way. We, being my wife and me. We were looking forward to a nice dinner out and then the weekend.I unzipped my duffle and removed my laptop and set it on my desk. Opening the lid, I booted up the machine and waited. Once everything ...

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Going Through The Motions

Cheri Perry

Submitted to Contest #335

Rachel was a busy shop owner who had a husband and three kids. She lived in a small town in Alaska where she was raised. She felt alone even though she had family and friends around her. She had no reason to complain. Rachel’s shop was doing well, her kids did good in school and her husband Ben worked hard. She felt like something was missing though. Rachel was exhausted from her day. She closed up shop and went to pick up the kids from her Mom’s house. Then it was home to fix dinner and take care of her chores at home. Her husband would exp...

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The Many Saviors of Bethany

Kim Smyth

Submitted to Contest #334

It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling and it was almost dark. Betsy staggered down the sidewalk trying to reach the hospital before her baby simply fell out of her. Her partner had not called or come home in days, so she was on her own.Later on, as she was waiting for the doctor to come check in on her, she marveled at the little girl baby on her chest. She decided to name her Bethany and vowed that her father would never be in her life. When the doc came in, she told him she was starving and he ordered her a pizza. It was rumored she a...

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6 comments 6

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Christmas Hampers

Jan Wood

Submitted to Contest #335

Christmas Hampers Sitting in our car, laughing and chatting, Angie and I waited to collect our hampers in what seemed like an endless queue of cars. We had no idea what lay ahead.After about twenty minutes, we were directed into the Football Grounds with paperwork ready. People everywhere. I couldn’t believe the number of volunteers, their vibrant energy, and so many young people giving their time to support this Christian charity. Islander men, rotund and jovial, young girls wearing Christmas tee-shirts, their hair adorned with tinsel head...

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Listen to What the Animals are Saying

Pete Gautchier

Submitted to Contest #334

Prompt 1: Write a story from the perspective of a non-human or fairy tale character sharing their side of the story. Prompt 2: Write a story that includes the phrase “once upon a time…”, “in a land far, far away…”, or happily ever after…” Listen to What the Animals are Saying Once upon a time in a land far, far away. …oh golly, it is so hard to write this. It’s not because I don’t believe in my story, but it really is difficult to write it. If I had fingers or even toes, I could do this, but I was given hooves at birth. It would be like a hu...

4 likes

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In His Keeping

Makayla A

Submitted to Contest #334

4/29/05 Sierra, my best friend, got this little journal for my birthday. I’m so excited for it. She said I talk so much so I should try writing it down for a change. I kinda like it. I’m going to decorate the top of it. Make it pretty. 5/1/05Jamie told me he loves me, he said he’d do anything for me. Isn’t he so romantic? 5/8/05I can’t believe this is happening. I don’t know what I'm gonna do. How can this be happening? This is not happening. No, no. It can’t be. 5/9/05Okay, it’s fine. I’m just going to tell mom, and everything will be okay....

9 likes

3 comments 3

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Discover weekly, the best short stories

150+ Christian Short Stories to read

🏆 Winning stories

The Protracted, Peculiar, and Probably Quite Pointless Trial of Bertie Masturbine

An Afterlife Denied

10 Ways to Explain Your Husband's Death to Your Son

⭐️ Recommended stories

A Touch of Heaven

A Simple Act of Kindness

A Raw Deal with the Devil

Introducing Prompted, a new magazine written by you!

✍️ All stories

The Married Prophet

The Cocoon

Unawares

The Reserved Void

Three Rocks

The true meaning of Christmas

Ornaments of Grace

I'll Say Something Next Time

Oh How She Hungers

THE ZOOM CALL

Going Through The Motions

The Many Saviors of Bethany

Christmas Hampers

Listen to What the Animals are Saying

In His Keeping

The Best Christian Short Stories

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