It’s here! ACFW 2012! Watch out for our Alleycats who will
be LIVE BLOGGING from Dallas as conference kicks off.
So many hopes and expectations converge over these next few
days. Let’s pray that God will be at the center of it all.
For those who are travelling… Lord, keep them safe. We ask for itineraries to run smoothly, for
timely flight connections, for safety on the road, for time to reflect and
relax and mentally prepare.
For those who are anxious… Lord, give them peace. In all the hurry and busyness, let them turn
their minds to you and find a place of calm. Take away all anxiety and worry,
pressure and expectation, and fear of the unknown. Replace these things with
your perfect peace. May they rest in you.
For those attending conference for the first time… Lord, may they have the time of their lives. We pray
for new friendships to be formed, for eyes and ears wide open to soak
everything in, for hearts willing to learn and the confidence to go after their
dreams.
For those who’ve been before… We thank you for friends old and new, for fun and laughter, for morning
coffee-runs and conversations that last late into the night. We ask for eyes to
see those who are lonely or in need of encouragement, and the generosity of
spirit to reach out beyond themselves and help someone else along the way.
For writers who are feeling burnt out… Lord, give them fresh inspiration. Fresh ideas.
Fresh joy in the craft and a renewed passion for their calling. You know those
who need a little extra something this year. Those who’ve pursued their dreams
for so long they’ve grown tired and discouraged along the way. Please bless
them with a song in Praise and Worship, a light-bulb moment in a workshop, a
word of encouragement from a respected mentor, the divine connection they so
desperately need, the open door they’ve been longing for.
For writers who are pitching… Lord, please gift them with peace and clarity. Help them articulate the
essence of their story with passion and heart. Give them the confidence to
believe in their ideas and the grace to understand that not every editor or
agent will be a perfect fit for them. We pray for a spirit of calm over the
appointment tables, for great conversations between writers and industry
professionals, for writers to leave their appointments feeling satisfied that
they represented themselves well.
For the editors and agents… This is such a busy time for them. Amid the clamor of voices, pitches
and ideas, please give them the discernment to recognize the people and
projects that would be a great fit for them. Keep them sharp and alert to what
your Spirit is saying. Give them the ability to filter through distraction – a
noisy lunch table, an imperfect pitch from a nervous writer – and catch the
heart of each idea that is offered. May they consider each project with
open-mindedness, honesty and grace. When they are tired, please refresh their
spirits. We pray for blessed times with colleagues, valuable professional
connections, and exciting new projects to acquire.
For those who can’t go to conference… Lord, help us to trust in your good plans for our
writing journey. Renew our spirits. As we hear good news and exciting stories
filtering back from our writer friends at conference, may we rejoice with them
whole-heartedly. We thank you for how far you’ve brought us and give you praise
that the best is yet to come.
Amen.
How can we pray for you this week? Please share your prayer requests in the comments section so we can lift each other up in faith!
Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Karen Schravemade lives in Australia. When she's not chasing after two small boys or gazing at her brand-new baby girl, she spends her spare minutes daydreaming about the intricate lives of characters who don't actually exist. Find her on her website, on Twitter or getting creative over at her mummy blog.
