ACFW Blog

Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team.

The families we leave at home

Romans 8:26-27–In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the opportunity to attend the conference. We thank you for providing us with time to learn, fellowship, and renew our spirits. Taking the time from our busy schedules and leaving our families isn’t easy, but You are the Great Provider.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you’re a reader or a writer, you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity. On Saturday, September 18, at noon, NYT best-selling author Terri Blackstock and multi-published author Gayle Roper will speak at the downtown Indianapolis Public Library. A beautiful new facility located at One Library Square, 40 E. St. Clair St., in downtown Indianapolis, this is your opportunity to ask these two authors your questions about writing.

You are invited to hear Terri Blackstock, author of “Intervention,” and Gayle Roper, author of “A Stranger’s Wish,” discuss their lives and works. This will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing. This program is held in conjunction with the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference. This program will be held in the Clowes Auditorium at Central Library.

I hope you will join us for a fun event. And an opportunity to meet these great ladies.

Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team.

That we mourn with those who mourn

Romans 12:15b– . . . and weep with those who weep

Dear Heavenly Father,

For some, this has been a wonderful year, full of blessings. But for others, it has been a year of painful losses. Jobs, contracts, hopes, dreams, friends, family, and other unimaginable things. Today, we pray for those in mourning. We pray for comfort for their hearts. And we pray for our hearts, that we may mourn with them. Give us the opportunity to comfort those among us who are hurting. Thank you so much for the privilege of standing alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In Jesus’ Name, amen

Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team.

That we rejoice with those who rejoice

Romans 12:15a–Rejoice with those who rejoice . . .

Dear Jesus,

I ask that You would prepare our hearts for the upcoming conference. We are going to be blessed with many opportunities to rejoice over someone else’s good news. I pray You would instill in us generous hearts, willing to express happiness for others, even if–especially if–their happiness comes through a set-back for us. Help us to rest in Your perfect will, Your perfect time, and the peace that comes from knowing You have a plan for us and our writing.

Make our response to others’ joy so filled with You, that those looking on can’t help but see You. Help us to glorify You in all we say and do at the conference, and please, start that process in our hearts now.

Thank you, Jesus.

Please join us in today’s prayer, written by a member of ACFW’s Forty Days of Prayer team.

The hotel staff

I Corinthians 9: 19, 23–For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Heavenly Father, Holy God, we are thankful and grateful you hear the prayers of your children. As we prepare to gather in Indianapolis, we pray specifically for the Hyatt Regency hotel staff. Lord, we lift up each person you have placed there to meet our needs. For those we meet who serve our meals, clean our rooms, and run our errands and for those we don’t meet who prepare our meals, work in the laundry, and minister in the background may your hand of mercy and blessings be upon them. May we be a shower of blessing to them, and an example of your unfailing love and grace in everything we say and do.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.