Do you pray before you write? During? After? Constantly? Sometimes I pray as I face the blank document that waits for me on my laptop. In my hand-written journal, sometimes my writing is a prayer.

For the fall start-up of my new writerly group, I sent an email/newsletter that included what to expect at our next gathering, a brief summary of our last discussion, a few links to writer websites, and—since there was a blank space just begging to be filled—I wrote the prayer for writerly folk below.

If you write, I pray it over you today. If you’re involved in some other creative pursuit, feel free to adapt the second and third lines. For all of us, may God grant us inspiration and good energy today, and fan into flame the gift that is within us.

A Prayer for Writerly Folk

O God of all creation,
grow us as writers
to use words wisely and well,
for the good of others
and for your glory.

O Jesus, divine Word,
who didn’t come to be served,
but to serve and give your life,
strengthen us to follow you
in serving God and others.

O Spirit who blows
where you will, blow in us.
Grant inspiration and good energy.
Fan into flame
the gift that is within us.
Amen.

More Prayers for Writers

The following are brief excerpts. Since some of the titles are the same, for the full prayer, I’ve linked instead to the name of the author.

Prayer Before Writing or Preaching
by Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

O Creator of the universe, who has set the stars in the heavens and causes the sun to rise and set, shed the light of your wisdom into the darkness of my mind.

A Prayer for Writers
by Beth K. Vogt

God, help me to cling to the joy of writing when reality threatens to tarnish the dream. Help me not to fret when the words won’t come. Let me be content with less than perfect writing. And make me willing to sift through all these-have-to-be-thrown-out words and find the right words. The needed words.

A Writer’s Prayer
by Dan Balow

Creator God, you made centipedes, oak trees, mountains and snow. Your creativity is endless, timeless, boundless and downright amazing. While I run out of ideas, you never do. You are God and I am not, but take my words as an offering of praise.

A Writer’s Prayer
by Debby Giusti

Keep me focused and on schedule, and take away any fear or sense of inadequacy that blocks my progress.  Give me courage to step out in faith, to stretch and grow and to be the writer you have called me to be.

A Prayer for Journalists
by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

Almighty God, strengthen and direct, we pray, the will of all whose work it is to write what many read, and to speak where many listen.

A Prayer Before Writing for Academia
by McKinna Daugherty

Shelter me in your strength and quiet the world around me. For these few hours grant me peace and solitude in my thoughts.

A Prayer for Writers: Women Scholars and Professionals
by Carmen Joy Imes

Help me walk in humility and grace with those who find my writing helpful as well as with those who do not. Let me bear your name with honor and write for your glory alone.

Writing/Reflection Prompt: What is the prayer on your heart today?