How To Pray When You Feel Weak in Your Writing
by Kelly Worley
All writers experience dry seasons, but I bet you’ll agree that “who” we work for amps up the inner critic that tries to convince us that we aren’t worthy of our calling. Unless we expect and prepare for the enemy to piggyback the critical words we speak over ourselves, our assignment — the Great Commission — will become an impossible mission.
The Apostle Paul tells us that God’s purpose and grace, not works, led God to entrust us with the gospel and Holy Spirit’s gifting to share it (2 Timothy 1:9). God-sized dreams require God’s help, and His methods will always be beyond what we can accomplish alone.
A change writer’s success depends not on our skillfulness with words but on powerful pep rallies of prayer and praise. Asking for greater awareness of our feelings helps us recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit’s nudging before we veer out of our lane and into the Lord’s. What that looks like in my life may not match yours, but I’ll share an illustration to help you determine what works best for you.
When I feel angst rising, I know I’m striving and God’s NOT driving. That’s my cue to get up, walk away from my writing spot, and remind God that I cannot complete my assignment without His help. And because I love Him, I want to honor Him with my words and bring glory to His name. That’s a request God ALWAYS answers when it comes from the heart of a sincere seeker who understands God’s glory is her purpose.
Here are a few power points and passages to pray as you seek strength to fulfill your calling from the One who calls and equips you to complete it.
- The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3), so before you write a single word, praise God for who He is, how He loves, and who you are in relationship to Him. Of course, He knows, but praise offered based on the authority and inerrancy of His Word honors Him and helps us remember that He can do more than anything we could ever ask or imagine.
- Continually ask God to reveal and heal the things that clutter our hearts, removing any barriers in our relationship with Him. We want less of us and more of Him! (Psalm 51:7, 10; Psalm 62:8).
- Surrender, submit to, and be strengthened with might by the indwelling Holy Spirit. How can He direct our steps if He isn’t the One leading the way? (Matthew 16:24-25).
Prayerful lives are powerful lives. Start recording your prayers in a journal. Documenting a history of God’s faithfulness in your life will be a source of strength in the future. Not only that, you might find that the most beautiful words you will ever write will be those shared secretly between you and your Savior.
Heavenly Father, I ask that You make me fit for what You have called me to be. Fill my good ideas and acts of faith with Your energy so that it all amounts to something. My heart desires to honor Jesus’ name, so I can rely on You to supply and equip me with everything I need to glorify You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Kelly Kirby Worley
Where do you place your confidence when sharing Christ with written words? Whatever your struggle, look for a passage of Scripture that speaks to it and incorporate it into your prayer before you begin to write.
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