#210: Prayer Kick-Off for Writing Week

Welcome to Kingdom Writers, where we help equip and empower Christian writers of all genres to share your unique gifts with the world. We're your hosts, C.J. and Shelley Hitz.

This podcast is filled with spiritual encouragement as well as prayers to help you overcome the resistance you face as a writer. Your story matters.

Welcome to this prayer kickoff for Writing Week. I am so excited for all that God is going to do and accomplish through this time together this week. This is our seven day writing challenge completely free. And if you haven't signed up yet, why not make sure you go and sign up. You can still join us@writingweek.com we would love to have you join us. I've just been amazed at all of the breakthroughs that are already happening today. It is really incredible what you can get done in just 15 minutes of writing a day, right? That's all we're asking you to do in Writing Week is to commit to all these 15 minutes of writing a day. And so we are just thrilled for all of you that have joined us. Over a thousand writers have joined us and it's just, it's really just one of the things that I love the most that we do as a community. Writing Week is sponsored by Christian Book Academy and so we have our mentors in there as well and just helping to cheer you on and encourage you. CJ could not join me today. He's off doing another project and actually doing some writing himself. But I wanted to come on today and really just pray for your prayer request, the requests that you have posted in the group. And what I did was I took kind of some general themes and I'm going to pray through those in general themes for you and you can receive these whether or not you wrote the request or not. We're going to pray for you. Let me just check real quick on Facebook, make sure everything is going well. If you're here, let me know in the comments. I would love to hear from you. We always love to getting your feedback. That just keeps us going. It encourages us. We love, love, love your comments throughout. So sponsored by Christian Yep, it's going good. Awesome. Well, God has, He's God often speaks to me in images and pictures and so as I was praying for this time with you today, he gave me a picture and it was a picture of a hot air balloon. So. So it was as if there's this hot air balloon sitting there, this basket and this hot air balloon just laying there and it's actually been there for a long time. So many of you have known that you have a calling to write or that God has asked you to publish a book that will fulfill your calling. Write words that will outlive you. You've known this for a while. And so some of you, it's been there for a while. And then for others of you, it's just the busyness of life or whatever, your writing gets pushed off to the side. And so I saw this basket, this hot air balloon basket. And for some of you, this week in Writing Week, you are now stepping into the basket. You're saying, okay, God, I am ready. I'm going to do this. I'm going to write, even if it's just 15 minutes a day, and it's amazing what you can get done in 15 minutes. But I'm going to do this. I'm going to step into the basket. I'm going to do what you have called me to do. And then you're trusting God to light that hot air balloon. So I was just researching it because I wasn't exactly sure how it works. But according to a certain site that I saw on Google or that I found from Google, it's this, like, propane heater or something like that that gives the heat and then hot air rises. So the picture God gave me is that he is that heater. He is giving you that hot air through the Holy Spirit, he is empowering you. He is lifting you up. All you have to do is say, I'm willing. I'm going to step into the basket. It is not your responsibility to do the writing. It's not your responsibility, like, to come up with everything. We depend on the Holy Spirit, right? We depend on God. And yes, we need to sit in the chair. We need to do the work, but he is going to empower you. So then, like, I actually got this picture as I was running this morning, and I saw all of you just stepping into your baskets. And then I saw God giving you the fuel, giving you the hot air, and all of you began to rise into the air. And, I mean, I'm getting chills just saying it, but you begin to rise in the air and you began to, like, light up the sky with all of these beautiful colors and all these different designs. And we have something here in Colorado Springs that I think it's around Labor Day. I can't remember if it's Memorial Day or Labor Day, but they do the hot air balloon thing. And it is gorgeous seeing the sky just with all of these different hot air balloons and all the different designs. And God said Shall we? Each single writer that's part of Writing Week is different, and you are all different. And that's one of the things about Writing Week is we do not have a cookie cutter program. Christian Book Academy. It's not a cookie cutter program. It's to adapt what is going to work best for you. So it's going to look different for every single one of you. And so all of these hot air balloons, I just saw them all start to rise, and every single one of them had a different design, different color, different color palette, and yet it was just gorgeous. And God was showing me that each one of you, as you follow him, as you allow the Holy Spirit to just empower you and to give you that fuel to start to rise up, he's gonna just give you what you need to write, but it's gonna look different for every single one of you. If you've been part of this community for a while, you know, I like to say, don't shove a square peg into a round hole. So a lot of writers, they read books, they get tips, and they think they have to write a certain way or they have to do something exactly like this person or exactly like that person. And that's not the way it works. You be you. So you do this week the way that is going to work best for you. And can you see I'm just getting excited. My arms are flying around and.

I am so excited for you. Like, I've been in the Facebook group today, replying and commenting and encouraging and cheering you on, because I see you, I see your potential, and I see what God is about to do in your life and through your writing. And it gets me so excited, so passionate. And CJ couldn't join us today, but he gave us some encouragement. It's also in the description of this video, or if you're somewhere else, it would be in the notes. But he wanted to share this verse with you as we start off writing week. 1 Corinthians 3, 5, 9. After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the good news. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seeds in your hearts and. And Apollos watered it. But. And this is the key. But it was God who made it grow. We all have a specific role to play in the kingdom of God, and yet it's God that is the one that's going to make it grow, right? Amen. It's him that's going to take your writing and impact lives. It's him that's going to just give you what you need this week to write what you're writing. And then it goes on to say, the one who plants and the one who waters works together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building. First Corinthians 3, 5, 9. And so C.J. just said, you know, each of us has a role to play as God builds the kingdom. As we write words, whether it's books, blog posts, social media, whatever it is, we are scattering seed out into the world without knowing exactly what will become of it, right? It's an act of faith just to write these words. There are other times we're simply used or what will become of it, but we can trust God to make it grow in his good timing. And. And there are other times we're simply used in the watering of what others have already planted. So trust God to accomplish what he desires, even when we can't always see the fruit in visible ways. And I want to tell you, kingdom writers, Christian writers, many, many times, we are going to take steps of obedience where we will not see what God is doing. He may show us little things along the way, but we're not going to see the full of our words, whether it's a social media caption or it's a blog post or it's a book or whatever it is. And that's where faith comes in. Faith comes in to know that God is going to use it. And if he's called you to do this, and if he has asked you to do this and gifted you to do this, that he will use it for his glory and for in his timing. So I'm going to go ahead and start praying for your prayer request. I wrote down, like I said, just in different.

In different categories. And so if any of these apply to you, just receive them in Jesus name for you. And right now, Lord, we just pray protection from the enemy for these writers that are coming together for writing week. And I just pray, Lord, that you would give them the courage to face the enemy with conviction and follow through, Lord, that nothing that the enemy brings against them or would, would prosper. Lord, we just ask that you would just bind Satan and any demons in Jesus name and you would just allow the Holy Spirit to fill each rider to just really flow and do what you have called them to do this week. God, we thank you that you give us the victory we thank you that we have victory in Christ, that we.

Write. And we live from victory, not for victory. So we thank you that Jesus Christ has the victory and that we can write from that victory. This week in Jesus name and Lord, I pray for any writer who is feeling overwhelmed or confused or maybe their plate is just so full right now and it's just hard to even think about writing 15 minutes a day. And I just pray right now for your peace, Lord, to descend upon them, just a big breath of, you know, just your peace and your calm to come over them and that they are enough right now in Jesus Christ. They don't have to prove anything, they don't have to strive for anything. This is not about accomplishing something. It is just about coming to you and asking you for your wisdom, your guidance. And if there is anyone right now that this is not the season to be writing, I pray that you would tell them, you would let them know, take a break, you know, have a season of rest or a season of healing. But Lord, if this is indeed a season of writing, I pray that, that, that feeling of overwhelm, the busy schedule, all of these things, God, that you would just make them non issues, that you would just work in Jesus name to eradic anything that would hold them back, allow them to prioritize, give them wisdom and prioritizing their week. And Lord, I just pray for breakthrough in Jesus name. And Lord, I just pray that anyone who's having issues with technology or using new technology to write, I just pray that it would not get into the in the way. I pray that you would just remove that, Lord, in Jesus name, that you would give them just.

An ability to learn this technology, to use it, or if it works best, to use paper and pencil to not force something that isn't for them. And Lord, I pray that anyone who is struggling with technology as far as computers not working or backups or whatever it is, Lord, we ask that you just protect every piece of technology. We pray that every person would get a backup of their writing as needed, that they would be protected, prepared, that you would just use this time of writing in a powerful way. And Lord, I just pray for anyone who is facing discouragement, Lord, this is a big one that the enemy uses to stop us just, you know, in our tracks. And so I just pray right now, Lord, that you would just hold them, you would put your arms around them, you would shower them with your love right now. And God, that I just pray that courage would rise up and that you would show them that you Have a plan for them, you have a purpose for them. And even if they can't see it right now, even if they can't understand it right now, I just pray, God that you would help them take the next step in their writing in faith. Trusting you and not trusting in the things of the world, the success of the world, the, you know, the money or, you know, whatever it might be, but God trusting in you. And we just pray that you would do this in Jesus name. Lord, I pray for anyone who is struggling with physical health issues that might be hindering their writing, or they have a family member or a friend that is struggling with health issues and it's just heavy on their heart and it's holding them back and it's draining their creativity. God, I just pray right now in Jesus name that you would bring a healing balm to each person that needs your healing touch. Lord, we know that you are the healer and we just declare healing in Jesus name to go out to whoever needs it. Lord, whether it's carpal tunnel or it's back problems or neck problems, or it's something much bigger. Lord, we just give it all to you and we thank you that you are Lord over it all. Lord, I just pray for those who are struggling with finances. They need a job or their spouse needs a job, or there's something going on in their home where they just need a touch from you and that financial blessing. And so, Lord, we pray that you would just work in their lives to direct them, to bring divine favor to them, to bring connections and open doors for jobs, for ways to earn income. And Lord, I just pray for a peace in the middle of it, Lord, as you are working things out, as they are trusting you, I just pray for a peace that would flood them. Lord, I pray for those who just need the time and the headspace to write that you would just provide the right timing and the provisions so that they could focus on their writing. Lord, I pray that you would remove any.

Confusion and. And anything, Lord, that's just taking up space, any negative thoughts, anything that is just taking up that headspace that is intended for their creativity, intended for relationship with you, to hear from you. Lord, we just pray, God, that you would just bring a fresh breath of air and clarity, Lord, to them. In Jesus name. Lord, I pray against any attacks of doubt and fear in Jesus name name. We command doubt and fear to leave in Jesus name. And we thank you, God, that you are just filling each one of us with faith. With faith in you, with trust in you, with Confidence in you and knowing that you are going to do this through us, you are going to write through us. Lord, we thank you for this, Lord. Right now, in Jesus name, Lord, I pray for clarity to deliver the, you know, each of us to deliver the stories that we have that will unleash the shackles of those who read it. I pray for an anointing to write the words that you've given us. Lord, I pray, God, that you would just pour out right now a fresh anointing. If you're listening and you want a fresh anointing, just place your hands out and ask the Lord. Ask God. Say, God, bring me a fresh anointing of your spirit to write what you have called me to wr. Lord, I just pray for a fresh anointing. I pray that we would each be just so filled up with you that there would just be no doubt of what we're to do and what we're to write every day. That it would just flow, that we would get downloads from you, Lord, that it would just come from you. And we thank you, Lord, for this. In Jesus name and Lord, I just pray that each one of us would keep our eyes on Jesus, that you would help us find, fulfill your purpose for each one of us fully, Lord, that it's easy to get distracted. It's easy to get focused on even our writing. It's easy to get focused on what other people are doing in the group. It's easy to get focused on, you know, just life and everything going on. But God, we just ask for a singular focus, just like a camera lens, just, you know, sometimes it's just ever so slightly, we just need that extra focus. So I pray for that for each one of us, Lord, in Jesus name. And I pray for each person who shared a prayer request about their marriage or their family. Lord, we pray blessings over each family represented here. We pray your blessings over each marriage represented here. That no weapon formed against us will prosper. Lord, in Jesus name, Lord, I just pray. Pray for prodigals to come home, Lord, I pray for reconciliation to happen. I pray for healing and just breakthroughs in marriages and families, Lord, and I just pray that you would do this in Jesus name. And Lord, I pray for those who just are struggling to be consistent in their writing, Lord, that you would just pour out your strength and your power upon them, Lord, that they would realize it's not. It's not by might, it's not by power, but it's by your spirit, says the Lord. And I just pray, God, that there would actually just be a welling up of joy where they're just looking forward to writing every day. And that, you know, Lord, you are just, you know, just pouring out your. Your spirit upon each person. And we just thank you for this, Lord, in Jesus name. Okay, so Lord, we just thank you that you would help each one of us to have organization in our writing, Lord, that you would just allow us to be organized and flowing and really knowing the next steps so having that outline. And we thank you, Lord, for that. In Jesus name. Okay? And Lord, we just thank you that you're giving us the power to be tenacious about writing this book, Lord, that you're giving us the abilities, the power to do this. And, Lord, that you would, you would do this through us. Lord, I pray for anyone who is feeling inadequate, Lord, in Jesus name, let them know that their adequacy comes from you and not from them. Lord, I just thank you that you're giving them the confidence and the courage to do the writing you have called them to do. And we pray for physical strength and energy for every single person. I know a lot of people are working other jobs and just feel tired when they come home. And so, Lord, I just pray you would give them the physical strength, the energy, whatever they need to write the words that you've called them to write this week. And we thank you, Lord, for this. In Jesus name, amen. So I am going to play some instrumental music from my friend Tammy Sorenson. She's given me permission to play this song. It's called My Loving Kindness. And I am going to go ahead and play that. And I want you now to just ask God, what is it he has for you this week, this writing week? What is it he has for you in your writing? And just ask the Lord to speak to you if you can, you know, get out a pen and journal and write it out. Like, what is he speaking to you about your writing? What is he saying in encouragement to you? I'm going to give you a few minutes as I play this music and then if you're willing, I want you to write what you sensed him saying to you in the comments so that we can encourage each other.

All right? If you're willing, go ahead and share in the comments. Anything that you felt like the Lord was saying to you. Any encouragements that you felt like God was saying to you. If you've been following me, you know, I encourage you to hear God's voice. That's one of the Kingdom Foundation's trainings in Christian book Academy is how to hear God's voice. And so I really want you to not just hear from me, not just, you know, hear those prayers from me, but seek out the Lord for yourself and what he is saying to you. John says, your pain is not in vain, my son. Even when you ask me to leave, demanded I leave. I didn't. I knew what was happening. Know that this story that you are sharing is one that will affect many people. Believe it or not, I am using you for a good that you will never be able to understand or see until you're in it. Stay close, my son. I will be there for you always. Those tears, I catch them. Let it all flow. It's so beautiful, John. And you know, that's something I would recommend, you know, just keeping close by so that you could have that reminder and that encouragement of what God is saying to you. Roger shared, push through the struggle. Be prepared to stand all the more. And I know I was talking with some of you in the group and, you know, just feeling that struggle already. And it's like asking the Lord, am I to push through? Or is this something that it's just not yet time? And a lot of times, you know, the Lord will tell us it's time to push through, it's time to go. And yet that's where it's important to listen to him and to seek him always. Amen. And so I just, I just pray that each one of you continues to seek the Lord, continues to seek him. And those of you that couldn't see it, we kind of had a person commenting on the live feed, and that's what. What kind of got my flow off. And I was trying to block them. And the Lord kind of reminded me that, you know what, as we are stepping out and seeking to do the will of God and seeking to write what he wants us to write, there will be at times people or things or situations that just want to stop us. And I don't. I don't know about you, but I'm a very. I'm a very feeling oriented person, a highly sensitive person. So when I see things like that, it's just like sometimes it just catches me off guard and it stops me and it slows me. And so be prepared that as you're stepping out, there may be situations that come against you that try to speak against you, that are trying to stop you and that the Lord wants to be that shield and that protection for you and that he wants you to keep going. He wants you to keep your eyes fixed on him and not on those things. And so, let's see. Stephanie says, only believe all things are possible. Awesome. Sandra says, write how I brought you out of pain into peace. Amen.

Deanne says, I sense that Jesus showed me that when I place a poem on each page, it will be like a cup of tea, a T standing for the cross, pouring a fresh cup of his love for others to sip on. Wow. I love that. Deann, how amazing. And, you know, I just love how every single one of you are just, you know, receiving from the Lord exactly what you needed. And deann, I would recommend, like, maybe even finding a picture of a teacup, printing it off, writing those words on there, or typing them onto that picture and having that somewhere so that you can remember as you're writing this week that picture from the Lord. So I am so excited for every one of you and for what God is going to do in and through you as you write this week. We're going to have additional live videos. The live videos are completely optional, so it's not something that you have to do. But if you want extra encouragement, extra support, that's what the live videos are for. You can do the challenge without them. But thank you all for joining me and really just being here and joining me in this prayer. I pray that it blessed you and just am excited to hear your progress in the group. So make sure you're posting in the group, make sure you're sharing with us, and we will talk to you soon. Bye bye.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Kingdom Writers. We believe that you, as a Christian writer, have a specific role to play in the Kingdom of Heaven to impact lives for eternity.

And because of this, we choose to pour out our lives into encouraging writers like you to not only tell your stories, but to take the courageous step of self publishing your stories and books that will outlive you and leave behind a powerful legacy. This podcast is sponsored by Christian Book Academy, where we help you give birth to your books. We invite you to join our community of Kingdom writers.