Writer, you have a unique weapon at your disposal that can bring healing to the world. That weapon is the written word. Just like any weapon, it can be wielded for good or evil. The right word at the right time can have a huge impact, if only on one reader at first, transforming them into a force of change and compassion and producing a ripple effect that can ultimately impact entire cultures and societies.
You release healing words when you share your stories—fiction or nonfiction—express your imaginations or convictions, or highlight the lives and stories of others. When you share these words or messages with the world through books, articles, blogs, or songs and poetry, you create fertile ground for understanding and empathy in the heart of your reader or listener.
You need to pick up your weapon and harness your power as a writer and begin to pull down the injustices, darkness, inequalities, and deceptions that keep so many from living their best life. It is time for you to wield your weapon and dismantle these enemies with the words you are being inspired to write.
It’s time to pick up your weapon!
What you write breeds courage to start and finish difficult conversations. What you write challenges the status quo and rebels against harmful traditions. What you write tears down false ideologies. What you write builds bridges and closes the gap. What you write increases context and empathy. What you write illuminates what it is hidden in the dark. What you write restores brokenness. What you write unites what has been torn apart. What you write banishes fear. What you write renews hope. What you write sparks faith in the impossible. What you write inspires love. What you write heals. You know this, and you feel it.
Whether you need a fresh wind of strength and encouragement to keep at the writing you’ve already undertaken, whether you have put writing aside because of your own hurt or rejection and need healing and revival in that area, or whether you’ve just decided to answer the call that has long been poking at you, I believe that during these twenty-one days the fire and passion you need to fuel what God has commissioned and anointed you to do will burn hotter than ever.
There is a very real enemy who comes against all the good things God sets in motion, and you know him well. There are not many writing tips that say to simply pray and fast about your writing, but considering the level of attack that comes against writers and creatives of various kinds, all creative work should start right here.
Pray Hear Write book and writing essentials provide a place for you, Spirit-inspired writer, to come and focus and set yourself before the Lord and soak in His presence specifically for your writing tasks. You need this time—time when God is first and everything else is not, when it is His face only that you seek. Bring your fears, concerns, and questions: “Lord, what do I write?” “You’ve called me, but what do I say?” “You’ve called me, but who is this word for?” “You’ve called me, but how will this word get out?”
As you seek God, He will come quickly to you with answers and inspiration from on high. You will be more passionate and driven than ever before to start and complete the work you’ve been commissioned by heaven to do.
Where you were stuck, you will be loosed. Where you were once rejected, you will be accepted according to God’s plan. Where you were once discouraged and confused, you will be strengthened, encouraged, and clearly directed. He’s done it so many times before; He will do it for you.
Pray. Fast. Listen. Obey. Then pick up your weapon and write.
(Adapted from the introduction of the book Pray Hear Write: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Breakthrough in Your Writing by Jevon Bolden.)