Writing and the Daniel Prayer by Susan Barclay

I recently finished reading The Daniel Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz and as I was thinking about this month's Inscribe prompt - "which scripture verses keep you nourished as you travel the writers' path?" - it occurred to me that the points Lotz raises in her book apply to my writing life. As a Christian writer I need to be:

1. Centred on God 

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Whether I am writing for the Christian or secular market, I can't do anything without Christ. As I sit to write, I need nourishment from the Vine if I'm to bear fruit. This means reading His Word, understanding who He is and who I am in relation to Him. It means letting Him lead, no matter who my intended audience is or what my work is about.

2. Compelled by God

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 

As a writer, I have ideas and plans for my writing. As a Christian, I need to ask what God wants so that His will is the driving force behind all that I do. I need to submit to Him as His plans for me, and for my writing, are always greater and better than my own. It's not necessarily easy to think like this; as a creative, imaginative person, I can get carried far down the road of a story before it occurs to me to ask God about it or invite Him to be part of it. I can get carried away in my mind before I've captured a single word on paper or on the computer. But "unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain" (Psalm 127:1).

3. Confident in God

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

Provision

I'd venture to say that most of the readers of this blog aren't making a living wage from their writing. (If I'm wrong, please tell me how you're doing it!) They write because they can't imagine doing anything else - writing is a gift, something that comes as naturally as breathing. As a Christian writer, I'm encouraged to seek God first and to trust Him to provide for all of my needs. Yes, I may be required to have a "day job," but ultimately if I believe that God is a good, good Father, and I am doing my part (writing, polishing, finding an agent if I need one, submitting to publishers, etc.), I can trust Him to do His part, "adding all these things" to my account.

4. Contrite before God

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:4

Proverbs 3:34 says that God shows favour to the humble. I can't manipulate God by feigning humility, since He knows my heart, but when I come to Him in genuine repentance over the things that ail me, and pray the prayer in Psalm 19:4, I know that He delights to answer. When my heart is clean and my spirit is right, He will give me the right words and meditations with which to enrich my writing.

5. Clear

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is wise reprover to a listening ear. Proverbs 25:11-12

Not quite apples, but you know what I mean

I'm not communicating with my readers if they can't understand what I'm saying. Clarity is key. Part of this is knowing my audience. 

• Academics and professionals use certain language and buzzwords. Am I using their jargon and speaking at their level? 
• Children are still learning vocabulary but I shouldn't talk down to them. Am I primarily using words they'll understand while introducing new words they can grasp through context? 
• Teens have a much bigger vocabulary than most children as well as slang that is all their own. Am I familiar with current expressions or do I know some teens I can ask? Can I write with a teen's voice and perspective? 
• They say that for a general adult audience you should write at a grade eight reading level. This is because most adults whose first language is English should be able to read at this level, whether they graduated high school or not. 

Lotz's book on the Daniel prayer has unintentionally encouraged me as a writer, reminding me to be centred, compelled, confident, contrite, and clear. The scriptures I've indicated remind me of these things as well. I hope these ideas inspire you too.
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Susan Barclay maintains a website and currently blogs infrequently at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

What God Can Do by Susan Barclay

I occasionally remember to pray before I begin to write, but I have to admit it's not yet become a habit. It is one, however, that I want to develop and am working on.

In general, my prayer life is something I've been working on for the last couple of years, beginning with Jim Cymbala's study, When God's People Pray and going on to his books Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire; Fresh Faith; Fresh Power and Spirit Rising. While I'd heard of the Brooklyn Tabernacle before thanks to its renowned Choir, I wasn't at all familiar with Cymbala until reading the first guide, and then I fell in love with everything he had to say about prayer and Holy Spirit moving. I can't recommend his books highly enough. He is on to something!

Other books that have proven helpful on the subject of prayer include Rees Howells: Intercessor by Norman P. Grubb and The Kneeling Christian, author unknown. I've just begun The Daniel Prayer study at church, a video series led by Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham. We've only just covered the first lesson in which we learn about Anne's approach to Bible study. Perhaps a whole other subject, but one she clearly feels is important before looking at the matter of prayer.

Prayer is one of the foundational disciplines of the Christian life and growing our prayer life is important. Though I can't think of a specific time when God infused my writing with His thoughts and desires, I think He has done so in spite of my failure to faithfully invite Him into my writing. When I look back at some of my blog posts, both here and on my personal blog, I'm often amazed at the depth I find. 

"That was me?"

No, that was Him! To God be the glory; He is faithful when we are not. Word of God, speak! 

 "Please let me stay and rest in your holiness."

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Please visit Susan Barclay at her website, www.susan-barclay.blogspot.ca.

InScribers Review: Wounded by God's People

 

 

Book Review by Ruth Sakstad

Wounded by God's People
By Anne Graham Lotz
Zondervan Trade Books, 2013


Imagine you are sitting in church and it is announced from the pulpit that three-quarters of the congregation no longer wants you to be involved in any leadership positions anymore. You are not the pastor, just a layperson. You have not been involved in anything illegal or immoral. Your crime: believing, living by and teaching the Bible as the inerrant, inspired, authoritative Word of God.

This is not some fictional exercise. It actually happened to Anne Graham Lotz and her husband Danny. Needless to say they left the church as hurt and wounded people. Fortunately, because of God’s love and healing they would eventually come to a point where they were able to move on and forgive.

In her book Wounded by God’s People, Lotz uses the Biblical story of Hagar, Abraham and Sarah to discuss how often we Christians knowingly or unknowingly hurt, wound or neglect others by our words, actions or inactions. This is not just a story about hurt, it is also a story about healing and God’s love.

Hagar was one wounded lady. Twice thrown out of the camp like the garbage by Abraham and Sarah, God had a plan for Hagar and He loved her. God not only showed Hagar His plan, He also showed her His love.

If you been wounded by God’s people, and who hasn’t, then this book can help you find the healing only God’s love can provide. Think about the hurt you have felt when that rejection letter arrives or you never hear back about that manuscript you submitted. God can heal you. Have you questioned your faith or your writing abilities because of that rejection? God knows and cares. Go to Him today, cry out to Him. He sees and understands. He wants to come along side and comfort you. He wants to whisper in your ear that He loves you and He wants to heal you.

I hope you will find Lotz’s book helpful and healing whether you are the one wounded or the one who has done the wounding. I certainly did.

Christ in Me -- Janet Sketchley

I’m still trying to grasp the simplicity—but liberating power—of Christ in me, my hope of glory. The Bible promises that in Him we have everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

The Holy Spirit lives in me, and the Spirit is all I need for life and godliness—if I’ll let Him influence how I live.

The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, meekness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). My natural spirit is selfish, and none of these good things.

I used to think the fruit of the Spirit were attributes God would develop in me. I’d become more patient, for example. But wouldn’t that be like expecting oranges to develop on an apple tree? I am more patient than I was, and that’s His doing, as I learn to walk His way a bit. But that’s not my natural spirit, that’s me getting used to His and letting Him shape my responses.

The Holy Spirit hasn’t been grafted onto me to grow—I’ve been grafted onto Him. So I’ll grow as I draw my strength and nourishment from Him. But the thing I come back to is this: He’s already there, invited in and received by faith, even though so rarely seen. So when there’s a stimulus, I can choose how to respond—if I’m submitted to Him and not being selfish.

Think of a standard doorway from a room. Two full-sized people can’t exit side by side; one must go first. LORD, please help me to hold back, to let Your Spirit go out first. Not only does He deserve first place, but His presence will change things in a good way.

This makes me see what Paul says to the Galatians in a different light. Galatians 3:3 says, “After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (NIV) He’s talking about the goal of righteousness and salvation, and about them beginning with faith but now trying to hedge their bets by observing the law. But the verse also speaks to me about righteousness and godly living.

Am I trying to do it by human effort? No wonder it’s not working too well. The Spirit isn’t going to take me over and push His way out. Like Anne Graham Lotz says, God is a gentleman. He has manners. I have to choose to let Him out.

© Janet Sketchley, 2008
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For devotionals, reviews and conversation, stop by Janet Sketchley's blog, God with Us: Finding Joy.