No one has time for all the writing things! Not unless you hire a super VA. But that’s hard to do if your writing doesn’t pay the bills yet.

Journaling
Writing
Editing
Proofreading
Making graphics
Newsletters
Freebies
Email lists
SEO (That’s a real joy-stealer to get going)
All the socials
Actually posting something

The one thing we must make time for is prayer. Without prayer, none of it matters. And without prayer, I don’t think we’ll realize the true joy in writing.

Despite my own inconsistency, I believe prayer is the place to begin. The sincere embrace of a Faithful Friend and Advocate in your corner, cheering you on, whispering new ideas when your idea basket is empty. And yes, comforting you when your article is rejected, again. Could these be the benefits of bathing your writing in prayer?

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
–Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)

Despite all the things writers are told we must do, there is really only one essential thing for the writer. One energizing, enriching, and all engulfing thing. Prayer. Prayer in the secret place makes it that much more intimate. It is here, in this secret place, that we find story ideas and blessings for our readers. It is where we are energized and equipped for a task that doesn’t feel like a task at all because it is pure joy to do what the Lord has called us to do.

Jesus told us to go and pray. Volumes have been written about prayer, but all of it can be distilled into one simple principle: the prayer that happens in the secret place is meant to be a heart-to-heart encounter between you and your Abba Father and not an intellectual exercise.

The secret place is where you bare your heart before God and pour every ounce of it at His feet ─ whether it be sorrow, gladness, thanksgiving, intercession, or all of it mixed together. In turn, God draws near and shelters you with His presence in the secret place.

—C.S. Lewis & Joy Devotional Day 2 on YouVersion

A prayer for writers

Lord, Help me to get quiet in that secret place of prayer in fellowship with you so that I will know what my next steps are on this writing journey. I give You praise and thanksgiving for all the things I can do as a writer, even though sometimes I forget You are with me. Remind me to seek You first with every keystroke so that my words would be Your words and blessed for the receiver. All the honor and glory are Yours, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This post is part of the #Write28Days writing challenge. Check out the other great writers participating in this challenge. Thanks to Anita Ojeda for host the event.

C.S. Lewis & Joy Devotional Day 2 on YouVersion