By Beth K. Vogt
I’ve come across different writers prayers throughout the years. I’ve even collected a few of them from various conferences, tacking them up near my desk so I can stop and pray through them as I fast draft or edit manuscripts.
The writing life has certainly strengthened my prayer life as I’ve offered up innumerable prayers both pre-contract and post-contract. Today, I’d like to share a prayer for writers with you:
It’s me, God, one of your creations who is a creative.
You know all about the power of words, speaking the world into existence. From the very beginning of time, You designated Your Son as the Word, proclaiming that He was part of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
For some unknown and delightful reason you tucked that part of your image inside me. You’ve given me an insatiable love for words. The desire to wrestle with them … to mold them to truths that somehow reveal not just what I want to say, but what needs to be said so that people hear the Truth. Are comforted by it. Inspired by it. Challenged by it. Changed by it. Yes, even entertained by it.
God, help me to cling to the joy of writing when reality threatens to tarnish the dream. Help me not to fret when the words won’t come. Let me be content with less than perfect writing. And make me willing to sift through all these-have-to-be-thrown-out words and find the right words. The needed words.
May what I write be less about me and my talent and more about reflecting You to the world. May I remember that You are willing to collaborate with me on each and every story I write. Help me to slow down and ask You for inspiration — and then stay still long enough to listen to what You have to say.
I don’t want to be jealous of other writers’ success, but I’m human and I know envy will mar my relationships with other writers. You know my self-seeking heart, and how I stumble over others’ awards and accolades. Help me not to settle my heart on “what about me?” but rather be the first to celebrate someone else. I ask you to create in me a clean heart, O God, one that truly considers others’ more important than myself. One that freely happy dances when another writer signs a contract or lands on the best-seller list.
Thank you, God, for creating me to be a writer. May I magnify Your name in all my work. And when all is said and done — and written — I pray that You have used my journey along the writing road to transform me to look less like me and more like You.
Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A 2015 RITA® Finalist and two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, Beth continues her destination wedding series in 2016 with You Can’t Hurry Love (May) and Almost Like Being in Love (June). Visit Beth at bethvogt.com.
Comments 0
That’s beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll be saving it for sure.
Samantha,
I’m glad my prayer encouraged you. May you be blessed today with encouragement along the writing road!
Oh, Beth. You’ve reflected my heart! I’m going to print this out and post it beside my writing chair to read and pray each day. Thank you for your transparency.
I treasure this prayer! Thank you Beth, for writing the prayer of my heart – it’s printed and posted at my desk, to become a part of my morning devotions.
Ane: So thankful to know our hearts reflect one another. We creatives … how blessed we are to be in community together and to pray for one another and with one another.
Rebecca: Thank you for your encouragement. I was so hoping this prayer would resonate with other writers!
Thank you for your prayer. It voices so many writers unspoken words, including mine.
Loretta,
That was my hope … to voice not just my heart, but the heart of other writers. 🙂
Beautiful and inspiring! Thank you!
MaryAnn
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MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
Truth through Fiction ®
http://www.maryanndiorio.com
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When I write, I feel God’s pleasure.