Praying for Our Readers by Sandi Somers

 

I wish that I had told my writing students to give some thought to what they wanted their books to make happen inside the people who read them.

Frederick Buechner

 Ten years ago in my first months writing for our blog, I wrote a post based on John Bunyan’s conversation with his book. I repeat it here with some adaptations.

John Bunyan’s Conversation with His Book

One author who articulated what he wanted to happen inside his readers was John Bunyan, who wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, one of the best-known allegories in Christian literature.

In the sequel, the journey of Pilgrim’s wife and children, Bunyan instructed the book to bravely go out into the world and tell people how much God loves them.

The book raised objections (and I’m paraphrasing some here): “What if they don’t believe me? What if people get angry? What if they criticize you, the author? What if they don’t like the way you wrote?”

Bunyan answered, “Don’t be afraid, Book, as you are a friend and are sent to friends, not enemies. If anyone objects to your authenticity, come back to me, and I will confirm that you are mine. Turn away from people who criticize you. Seek instead those who will rejoice when they read you.”

Prayers for Our Readers 

Pilgrim’s Progress, written over three hundred years ago, has challenged me again to be more specific as I pray for my readers. I’m still learning that praying our words into our readers’ lives can have a great impact. Here are points you may find helpful: 

·       Before praying for your readers, ask God for a listening attitude for His inspiration, His message and His guidance for the particular writing of the day.

·       Clarify your overall goal for the readers of each particular w-i-p.

·       Ask God to take your writing to those who need to hear from God.

·       Pray that each article will be a work of art to challenge your readers’ intellects as well as their spirits.

·       Ask the living Lord to step out of the sentences, paragraphs and ideas to leave His gentle touch on their lives.

·       Know how your prayers have great power. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).

·       Our church’s mission is for each person to know Jesus personally and become His devoted follower. Join Bunyan’s prayer:

 And may (your words) persuade some that go astray,

To turn their Foot and Heart to the right Way.[1]

And you? What do you want your writing to make happen inside your readers? As you explore this question, what are you discovering about how you can pray for yourself, your message, and your readers? What is God prompting you to do?

Image by Our Daily Bread

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[1]Adapted from John Bunyan, Revised and Updated by L. Edward Hazelbaker, The Pilgrims Progress in Modern English, (North Brunswick, NJ colon Bridge -Logos Publishers. 1998) 215 to 221.