A Prayer For Our Writing, by Sarah Frazer
The cursor blinks on the blank page. Empty. White. Full of potential. The blank slate can either feel intimidating or inspiring. How does that cursor feel to you? Each year we get a new beginning and we need to make time to make goals for the new year.
When a new year rolls around, I usually sit with my pen and a notebook and make a plan. I’m a planner girl at heart and I love lists. Making goals and dreams for the new year is always so exhilarating. Where is my writing going to take me? What should I write? What should I focus on this year?
This year, as I brought out my planner and notebook, I sat with my pen in hand and stopped. The word “I” and “my” suddenly appeared all over my pages. Wait. Where was God in all of my planning? Inside my heart, I felt His nudge, “Why don’t you pray over this?”
Proverbs 16:1 says, “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord” (ESV). That means our words are really from God. And then verse 3 continues with, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Another translation says to “entrust your work…” It is easy to trust my goals and dreams to God, but my writing? For this year, God is asking me to entrust my writing to Him.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
You have placed this dream of writing in my heart. It is not a hobby but a calling. I might not believe it is from you, but I feel the burning inside me to write. You have called me to this profession. It doesn’t matter if I ever write a book or publish a piece of my writing. I put the words on paper because You have called me to do so. And those You call, You equip. Give me wisdom and direction as I go into this next year.
Let me use my writing to draw near to You. The distractions will come, but as I draw closer and closer to You this year, I want to see You. Let my writing be a way to commune with You. Others might not understand what I write or even understand my calling, but You do. And I want to use this tool of writing to connect with You.
The words I write are for a reader and for a purpose. But this reader, she is not mine. This reader is Yours. She is loved and treasured by You. Let me write to the woman who is loved by You and needs Your hope today. Keep her first in my mind when I go to share my words.
Sometimes I forget my purpose. Remind me again of Your glory, Your name and Your renown. This is the reason I write. Whether the words are shared or hidden away, I pray those words will speak of You and who You are.
I praise You for this dream of writing. I praise You for these plans. I entrust them to You. Please take my writing and use it. The words are safe with You. My words are safe with You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Will you join me and pray over your writing this year? God is with us. Let us start this new year looking to Jesus. Even if you don’t know where the writing is going to go, you can begin with prayer.
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I am kinda late to this party…sigh! But thank you for addressing the oh so hard topic of my heart, confidence in the Lord. I too, look to myself to get through things and how I am going to make “my” point. Thank you form my heart, for this prayer. Looking forward to TRUSTING in our God.
Oh, Sarah! How this prayer resonates with me! I made myself a copy of it and plan to refer to it often as I begin my writing journey. God did answer this prayer for you, for it has found “the woman who is loved by You and needs Your love today.” That woman is myself. Thanks so much! This will go far in helping me keep a godly perspective in my sights. Your words blessed me. Maybe I will do the same for another someday.
“Those you call, you equip”. Amen!
What a beautiful prayer of encouragement.
[…] keep a running list of prayers in a different journal. I write in bulleted lists and keep it short and simple. How can a prayer […]
Sarah, thank you for this beautiful reminder.
Gracias Sarah. Desde Venezuela he hecho esta oración con todo mi ser para Dios. Él me ha escuchado. Bendiciones.
Beautiful prayer. Thank you.
I was so close to quitting and then I read your prayer. Thank you for your faith and for sharing in such a personal way.
You put words to the desires of my heart. Thank You!
Thank you for this prayer. I will use this as I write.
Blessings !
I appreciate you sharing your prayer Sarah. The prayer reinforces “committing your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” as you mentioned from Proverbs 16:3.
For Me this prayer:
1. Places all focus on God and what He chooses to do through me, and those around me.
2. Gives me permission to stay diligent, but also relaxed in studying His word for wisdom and direction.
3. Allows me to write from the heart with the intention of helping another see Him more clearly; not search for something to write about, just to be writing.
4… Removes pressure to expect success too soon and await God’s timing.
So, thank you for your insight and the beautiful prayer.
Thanks for this, Sarah! A great reminder to always give everything to the LORD including our writing.
Beautiful, Sarah!! Thank you for penning the words of your heart, our heart. Xo
Beautifully written, wonderful wisdom, heartfelt truth! Thank you for the inspiration and much needed prayer.
Thank you so much Kathy!
Your prayer felt like my own. Thank you for putting such beautiful words to the cry of my heart.
So glad it resonated!
Oh, Sarah. I am so grateful for your heart in Christ, and your obedience to share the words He provides. I cannot imagine one, solitary writer who will not feel compelled to say, “Thank you. I needed this reminder and encouragement today.”
So glad it helped you Charla!
Sarah, thank you for writing this prayer. I believe I was one of your readers who needed your prayer and words today. Thank you for your honest heart. Your words blessed and inspired me to not give up on my writing.
God Bless You Greatly!!
Jo Brown
I’m so glad you are not going to give up on your writing Jo! Your words matter!
Beautiful prayer and heart, friend. <3
Thank you friend.
This is exactly what I needed to read today. It’s difficult as a new writer to think what I’m doing matters. Today your words have given me the gift of freedom to know that my writing matters…whether it’s published or not. THANK YOU!!
YES! It DOES matter. You are only at the beginning, but that is a special, unique place to be. Stay true to your voice and let your writing be for HIM. Blessings!