A Writer’s Thankful Prayer

Today I thank God for all the blessings he gave me as a writer and blogger in 2016.  May this prayer, based on Psalm 118, bless and inspire you!

Today I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

In February you taught me the discipline of writing daily.  My church asked me to write a Lenten series, then made other plans.  But my work was not in vain.  I put the series on my blog instead.  Through this process you taught me how to write Bible studies.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

When the Lenten series finished, I began posting memoir pieces.  Finally, after six years of compiling stories, I finished writing my first book “Heart in A Drawer: My Story as a Child of Divorce.”  At a 2015 writing conference you led me to a small press publisher willing to look at my manuscript.  Right now it’s still in the review queue.  I thank you for this publishing opportunity, Father.  I pray your will be done, Lord.  Grant me patience in this long wait.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

In April I joined an online Bible study for the first time. Thank you, Lord, for Proverbs 31 Ministries and their community of faith.  Here I learned how online Bible studies work and how to write my own.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

Thank you for the online teachers you sent me, Father.  I learned about platform building through Michael Hyatt, blogging through Jeff Goins, crafting an email list through Tim Grahl, marketing through Sarah Mae, and book launching from Chandler Bolt and Jeff Walker.  I am learning all kinds of things and connecting with other writers through Compel Training.  Bless and multiply the work of these teachers, Lord.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

Thank you for teaching me about self-publishing.  When I attended a conference session in July, you introduced me to a woman who successfully self-publishes several e-books each year.  You showed me how my dreams can come true through e-books.  Thank you, God, for placing me in this unique time in history when I can cultivate online reader relationships before my books ever go to print.  Your creativity and provision amazes me!

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

This summer you planted the seeds for a book on Christmas peace.  You provided childcare for several weekends while I wrote the book.  You helped me rise without an alarm at 4:00 a.m. to write for two hours before going to work.  You showed me all things are possible through you, Jesus. You are faithful to me, and you are shaping me to be faithful in my work.  Thank you, Lord, for giving me 75 beta readers for my first book.  Bless and keep them in your care.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

Thank you, Lord, for introducing me to the concept of linkups when I prayed for a way to reach new readers.  Thank you for the generous ladies willing to host these linkups.  Now I am connected with other Christian women bloggers and I’m gaining a wider audience.  You are awesome, Lord!

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

Thank you, Jesus, for my local newspaper who agreed to interview me and promote my book.  They were so gracious!  Bless them for their willingness to promote a Christian author.  Bless the readers in my community who are searching for Christmas peace.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

Thank you, Father, for my new blogging friends who agreed to interview on my blog.  I pray you will bless the work of Micah Maddox, Jill Hoven, Nicole Kauffman, Sarah Behan, Sandy Kreps, and Ruth Chou Simons.  Please lead me to more writers who will interview in the future.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his faithful love endures forever.

As I look to 2017, I trust you will give me many more reasons to thank and praise you in my writing career, Father.  Help me ask, seek, and knock in a way that pleases you while I’m waiting to write full-time.  Give me the energy, time, and vision to write seven more Bible studies in 2017.  Help me trust in your plan, your provision, and your guidance.  I want everything I do to be for your glory alone!

Let those who fear the Lord say:  His faithful love endures forever.

Amen! 

How can God’s work in my writing journey inspire something new in yours?

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