How much do you guys pray about your writing?

Before I hit "send."

And then I try--so hard, but sometimes don't remember, argh--to praise Him for WHATEVER happens. (That's a learned skill if there ever was one, ya know?)

If someone walked into my parish, when the time comes, with that question, it would be that it would be prayer misguided. I don't believe in prayer for gain. I would suggest prayer for guidance for your work. If it is spiritual work it should glorify Him even if in a subtle and low key way. If it is secular the hero should personify goodness. My major literary projects have ground to a halt while I pursue a more important task. It is entirely possible 'Father Steve' may never publish. But I chose not to pray for material gain when my spiritual gifts are worth more.

I might be misinterpreting you, AT, and if so, ignore this post. When I pray before I send out work etc. I'm not praying for $$. I'm praying that the work will glorify Him and work His will in the world. (My current freelance gig is having cash flow problems right now, so I haven't been paid for my last 4 or 5 pieces. But they're terrific people, and that's why I have a FT job.)

Since He gave me the talent and I supplied the years of honing and making it a saleable talent, I hope I'm following the example of the 2 smart guys from the Parable of the Talents.

[descends pulpit, looks around with a "what the heck am I doing up here?!" expression, and slips back into the choir loft]

KCpotatohead said:

HI
Just how much do you guys pray about your writing? I am not talking about WHAT to write but more in your submissions and stuff!!!

1) Do you pray over each submission?

2) Do you badger God when you have submitted to a particular publisher or production Co. that you think would be ideal?

3) Are you "disappointed" when God doesn't answer (or seem to) your prayer to get publish or produded?

4) DO you thank God when you are not accepted coz you believe that God will open up another publisher/prod Co.???

For me:
1) YES. I pray for each submission.
2) Yes when I really would like that Co. to make my movie.
3) YES!!!!!!!!! Sometimes I feel that if I got the OK from the Prod Co. that would validate my writing.
4) Yes but it is hard sometimes!!
Kevvers

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Interesting topic, Kevvers! And your answers convict me. I don't pray over each submission, though I usually do pray about my writing several times a week, and often about particular submissions. I've even been known to badger God about the book submissions, though probably not enough. (He loves badgering.)

When God answers with a "no" I don't usually thank Him with the idea that something else is in store. I tend more just to accept it (there may be nothing else in store for that particular piece) and move on. Of course, sometimes He does show me a use for it months later, and that's welcomed with thanks.

Disappointed with "no" answers? Yes, but not upset. I know He's sovereign, and His arm is 'not short.' I know if He's led me to write it in the first place, there was a good reason to write it, and publication's just one of those good reasons. It's really just a product--fruit--that I offer Him, and how He wants to use it is fine with me. Of course, publication's still exciting.

For the past several months I've been praying what to me is a more difficult prayer--that of asking Him to show me what it is He wants me to be writing right now. (That phrase above my avatar is in all seriousness.) I seem to have stalled out in the middle of the journey and lost my map. Not sure what it is He wants me to be writing. I have some vague ideas, but no sense of direction as to which ideas to pursue. Sometimes I think the hardest part about prayer is the waiting (while continuing to pray). I could write while I wait, except that my muse hasn't been cooperating lately. So, I'm feeling a bit unproductive. But this may just be one of those seasons of life where I'm supposed to read, meditate, and grow, and the productivity will blossom later.

I pray before I sit down to write. I pray when I edit and when I do queries. Mine's always the same and very simple: "Lord guide me today that I may fulfill your will. Help me to write the words you would have me write and tell the tales you would have me tell so that my words may entertain, educate and inspire those who read them."

If anyone's interested, Jeff Herman's Agency website (jeffherman.com) has an interesting essay about being a spiritual writer. It was written by Deborah Levine-Herman, his wife and co-agent.

FYI Before anyone gets on my case. She suggests you address your prayer to whomever you believe in, or the power of the universe. Take what you like and leave the rest.

praying, heh? maybe that's what i should try...

Having read a number of Pat's works I have to say that the Spirit connects with her quite often. 'Guess she's waiting for the whisper that will guide her into a major work.

1) Do you pray over each submission?

I usually send my queries out in bulk, so I will pray over the bunch. I pray that God will get the right letter into the right hands, and that he will just make the agents' minds clear and have good judgement when they read my query.

2) Do you badger God when you have submitted to a particular publisher or production Co. that you think would be ideal?

Mmm, maybe a little.

3) Are you "disappointed" when God doesn't answer (or seem to) your prayer to get publish or produded?

Well, it's hard not to get a little disappointed when I get a rejection, but I always remind myself that all it takes is one "yes," and if this wasn't the agent God wanted for me, it makes figuring out what God wants that much easier. I trust him to give me the right "break" at the right time-- his timing. I believe God was the one who called me to writing, so after I've done my best it's basically up to him to do the rest. I have no control over it, but he does. And he always knows best.

4) DO you thank God when you are not accepted coz you believe that God will open up another publisher/prod Co.???

See answer to #3.

One thing I need to do more, though, is actually pray about the writing process itself. I think my writing naturally reflects biblical truths simply because I am the one writing, but I'm a bit selfish when it comes to creative control. I feel like this is MY story, and I don't want anyone else's input-- not even God's! But of course that's not the right attitude.

Anonymous Traveler said:

If someone walked into my parish, when the time comes, with that question, it would be that it would be prayer misguided. I don't believe in prayer for gain. I would suggest prayer for guidance for your work. If it is spiritual work it should glorify Him even if in a subtle and low key way. If it is secular the hero should personify goodness. My major literary projects have ground to a halt while I pursue a more important task. It is entirely possible 'Father Steve' may never publish. But I chose not to pray for material gain when my spiritual gifts are worth more.

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I once felt this way but then I heard Garrison Keillor read a poem (which I haven't been able to find) about his prose being like a crop planted in rows and encouraged to grow. I do look at my writing the way a farmer might look at a crop. And I pray for it to take root, to grow, to be harvested (and to earn enough to keep me down on the farm ) to feed others. It is part of my purpose and part of how I provide for my family to sell my work and frankly, I do pray for better returns on my efforts because that means I get to keep writing and caring for my family in this way that allows me to be home with them.

Would you advise a doctor not to pray that he receives timely payment in order to meet his bills? Or someone that they not pray when hoping for a raise that would help them put food on the table? Writing is a creative and spiritual endeavor, but many people feel that way about their work, are we all misguided for praying that our work bring compensation?

I do pray about my career, though less about each piece, I pray for God to direct me as I begin and direct my work once it's done. I pray for my editors and for people who have contact with my work. I pray mostly for direction, but then that's what I pray most about in life, so it only makes sense that's my concern in writing.

annie jones

I based my opinion on the intercession portion of our Anglican liturgy (responses omitted). How you pray and for what is your personal option but an opinion was asked and I responded. Sorry for it being so verbose but I wanted to show the breadth of our prayers and what is and is not there.

Hear our prayers, O Lord our God.

Govern and direct your holy Church; fill it with love and truth;and grant it that unity which is your will.

Give us boldness to preach the gospel in all the world,and to make disciples of all the nations.

Enlighten our bishop and all your ministers with knowledge and understanding, that by their teaching and their lives they may proclaim your word.

Give your people grace to hear and receive your word, and to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

Bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived.

Strengthen those who stand, comfort and help the faint-hearted; raise up the fallen; and finally beat down Satan under our feet.

Guide the leaders of the nations into the ways of peace and justice.

Guard and strengthen your servant Elizabeth our Queen, that she may put her trust in you, and seek your honour and glory.

Endue the High Court of Parliament and all the ministers of the Crown with wisdom and understanding.

Bless those who administer the law, that they may uphold justice, honesty and truth.

Give us the will to use the fruits of the earth to your glory, and for the good of all creation.

Bless and keep all your people.

Help and comfort the lonely, the bereaved and the oppressed.

Keep in safety those who travel, and all who are in danger.

Heal the sick in body and mind, and provide for the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.

Show your pity on prisoners and refugees, and all who are in trouble.

Forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and turn their hearts.

Hear us as we remember those who have died in the peace of Christ, both those who have confessed the faith and those whose faith is known to you alone, and grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom.
All Lord, have mercy

I'm just going to paste my answer from a similar thread.

I have a writing goal (posted in Goals and Accomplishments) to leave Corporate America for good and build a freelance and novel career. It's a passion inside me. The thing is, I know I can do it. I've been in prayer and not really heard anything to confirm or abandon this plan.

However, I'm not foolish enough to ask God to bless my Ishmael if He has an Isaac plan for me. I'm capable of fulfilling my plan but why would I even want to if it turns out God's plan for my life (or writing) is different than mine? And if this is in God's plan for me, I want to do it through His strength and not my own.

I'm ammenable to whatever He wants me to do. I have a passion and a talent for writing and I don't believe I would have that if He didn't want me to use it. But, if He wanted me to move to Little Rock and pick-up lint off the floor of an office building as my job, I wouldn't hesitate for a moment. (And there wouldn't be a speck of lint on those floors, either.)

Whatever you do, do it for His glory, not your own. In the end, when it's all said and done, it's what really matters most. My goal is not publication. My goal is to complete the work He's given me to do and to bring Him glory. Everything else is chaff that will blow away or burn.

(end of pasted post)

Now, in a more direct response. Yes, I pray constantly over my writing. Not for publication. I pray that God be glorified through my writing. I trust him with my dreams, so I write, and then leave the results up to Him.

Very interesting thread! I do try to pray about things I'm working on, but haven't prayed that much lately. I had some disappointments in life that left me wondering, "Hmm, does God really listen to my prayers?" Well, I've learned that He is more likely to grant them when I pray for other people, so I should probably start praying for all of you. ;-)

WriterGirl2007 said:

Very interesting thread! I do try to pray about things I'm working on, but haven't prayed that much lately. I had some disappointments in life that left me wondering, "Hmm, does God really listen to my prayers?" Well, I've learned that He is more likely to grant them when I pray for other people, so I should probably start praying for all of you. ;-)

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This is so cheesy, but have you ever heard this song?

JoNightshade said:

This is so cheesy, but have you ever heard this song?

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Haha! Yep, have heard it tons.

callalily61 said:

Before I hit "send."

And then I try--so hard, but sometimes don't remember, argh--to praise Him for WHATEVER happens. (That's a learned skill if there ever was one, ya know?)

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Same here. That His will be done no matter what happens.

I never pray for my writing. If it sucks, praying won't make a difference. If it's good, then why does it need help? In fact, if I pray and it is accepted then I wonder if I succeeded on my own merits or if God interfered. I'd rather that I succeeded on my own merits, thank you very much.

WriterGirl2007 said:

disappointments in life that left me wondering, "HM, does God really listen to my prayers?"

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Yes He hears all our prayers. Nothing is hidden from Him. He wants us to admit to Him what is in our hearts. I think God answers all our prayers. Sometimes his answer is silence forcing us to reflect on why we prayed and what we can do to answer our own prayer.

I had a recent financial experience with God. I had 'something' that would have benefited my church substantially. But as God opens doors he closes them too. Strangely I am totally at peace with His decision.

And it never hurts to stop and say a prayer of thanksgiving if for nothing more than the beauty of morning frost on the fallen leaves.

God - The Real Thing

I think it's important to remember that God is not a Coke machine or a magic genie in a lamp that grants wishes. God is not a sure ticket to being published. You don't put your "prayer coin" into the God Machine, press a button, and out pops answered prayer.

Yes, God hears everyone's prayers. But prayer isn't simply a means for giving God your wish list and hoping they come true. That takes away from the reverence He's due. Prayer is communion with God. Spending time with Him because you want to be with Him, in His presence. It's not only talking to Him about the things that are on your mind, but taking time to hear from Him, too.

Yes, He wants to hear about your writing and everything else going on in your life because He loves you. The Bible says He cares about the things that concern you and nothing is too great, or small, to be brought to Him. But, in doing so, don't forget that you are in the presence of the Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator of your very life - Who knew everything about you before the world was ever formed.

We've commonized God and lowered Him into a buddy-buddy relationship. We've lost the fear and reverential awe of who He is! Go before Him with humility.

A verse that months could be spent studying and meditating on is Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God.

Just breaking it down, word for word, can bring conviction, repentance, comfort and peace.

Be - Just be. That's all you have to do is just be.

still - Be still. Remember that we're human BE-ings, not human DO-ings. We get so busy running hither, thither and yon that so few of us take the time to be still, in silence. We've always got some form of noise going. How many people, the moment they get in their cars or homes, immediately turn on the tv or radio? Most people are afraid of silence, and being still, because that means they'll have to face themselves. That scares a lot of people, so, they mask it all with busyness and distractions. Take the time to just be still.

and know - Know what? Him! That you're in the presence of the God who has all of time and eternity in His hands. That you're with the God of the universe who loves you more than you could ever understand. Know. Know that when you're in a relationship with Him, He's got your back. Be still and know.

Know that "I." That "I am." That I am the God that loves you and has a life planned for you that far outweighs anything you could imagine for yourself. Be still and know that I am. Sit in His presence and just soak that in. There's healing and comfort and joy in His presence.

Ultimately, know that "I am God." That in His presence is the best place to be. And when you put time with Him before everything else, making Him a priority in your life, you won't have the stress and fears of being published. You'll simply write, out of love for Him, and He will take care of the rest. And you'll see that publication is not the goal.

For those who want to be writers in their own efforts, without God "interfering," believe me, you won't have to worry about it. God doesn't interfere. He doesn't barge in where He's not invited. Saying a prayer won't magically get you published so you have to wonder if the magic genie god had anything to do with it.

Simple Living said:

A verse that months could be spent studying and meditating on is Psalm 24:10. Be still and know that I am God.

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Oops wrong Psalm. Lovely sentiment but I have two problems. First. Taking snippets of the bible without considering context changes the meaning. Second, considering that the original is a Hebrew song and there is argument about the translation, dissecting the words to that extent can be misleading. Taking God's entire quote changes the meaning significantly. In its entirity I take this passage as an expression of God's authority. I realize that the Bible as first written is inspired by God and I consider it inerrant but the number of translations bring some doubt about the accuracy of the modern wording.

Psalm 46 God’s Defense of His City and People

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Anonymous Traveler said:

Having read a number of Pat's works I have to say that the Spirit connects with her quite often. 'Guess she's waiting for the whisper that will guide her into a major work.

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Thank you, AT...what a kind thing to say. You know, I think I am waiting for that--though maybe I shouldn't be. It may be that God just has a series of 'small' works for me to do. That was very insightful; I'll have to do some thinking on that.

Shadow_Ferret said:

I never pray for my writing. If it sucks, praying won't make a difference. If it's good, then why does it need help? In fact, if I pray and it is accepted then I wonder if I succeeded on my own merits or if God interfered. I'd rather that I succeeded on my own merits, thank you very much.

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Hiya, Shadow Ferret. I think the reason I pray is not necessarily for it to 'be good' (though that's hoped for), but that it be more than that. I want it to be inspirational, 'Spirit-breathed,' almost. I want that for 2 reasons: 1) it'll end up better than my 'good' could ever be, because 2) it'll have eternal significance; the words will be written in such a way as to make a unique spiritual impact that wouldn't happen if it was just my own power at work. I'm not praying that God will give me a successful 'product'--I'm praying to be part of His eternal process.

Hope that makes sense.

Pat~ said:

It may be that God just has a series of 'small' works for me to do.

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As one who often administers the chalice at the altar during Anglican Eucharist, this struck me.

To save everyone hunting, here it is.

I'm so happy that that one spoke to you, AT. I've been in a pretty big writing slump lately, so your words are encouraging...thanks.

This is a real rabbit trail, but don't you wonder if Jesus ever had the impulse to write? After all, He was the Living Word, and His Spirit inspired the written Word...but the only account of Him ever writing anything was in the dust, when the Pharisees brought the adulterous woman before Him. And we don't even know what He wrote. Amazing.