ACFW Blog

Day 17
Clarity of speech for those who are pitching projects to editors and agents

Phil. 4: 13–I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Father God,

Conferences are scary things. We are authors, not orators, and sitting in front of people who have the ability to make or break our careers is daunting. I pray for all those pitching their projects, that You will give them clarity of speech, strength, and most of all, that You will help them be themselves. Impress on them that editors and agents are not there to judge, but to help. Remind them that You give perfect peace to the one whose mind stays on You. Help them, Father, to keep You in their sight.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 18
For conferees to grasp what is taught and grow from it

Prov. 1:5–A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.

Father God, we thank you for supplying so many good teachers and topics to help us grow in our writing ministries.

Lord, give us all teachable spirits. Open our minds and hearts to the words you’ll have for us. Give us your mind, so we can retain what we learn and be able to apply the principles to our writing.

In Jesus name, amen.

FOR THOSE ATTENDING AS THEY MAKE FINAL PREPARATIONS

James 1:5–But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Father, I ask for Your wisdom for each one preparing to attend the conference this year. I pray that our priorities will mirror Yours, that we will be sensitive to Your leading, and that we will rest in You.

Remind us how easy it is to be caught up in the excitement, the anxiety, the flurry of details, that we make others less important than our to-do list, and we tend to leave You out of our planning. Calm our hearts, bring details to our minds when we need them, and help us to accomplish those tasks we must before leaving our jobs and families. Remind us to have gentle words for those around us with different needs and priorities. Remind us that our families aren’t secondary to the conference, and neither are You.

Thank you for this opportunity to show grace to others and receive it from Your hands.

Amen.

Day 20 Conference veterans

Psa. 18:2–The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge . . .

Oh God, thank you that through Jesus Christ we can come freely before you today. Receive all our praise, honor, and glory.

We pray for those who have gone to conferences before. This year show them specifically how to sharpen their craft and present ideas in a fresher way, and give them a keener sense of your presence in all they do, say, think, and write. May this conference be a milestone in their careers, as well as in their lives.

All this we pray in the name of Jesus, Amen

Day 21 For all attending to rest in God’s timing for them
Psalm 37:4-5

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Father, many of us can easily become overwhelmed when we feel the need to take control of the circumstances and order our own steps. The pressure to make a good impression and leave those we meet wanting more can leave us exhausted, whether it be an editor or agent asking for a proposal, a fellow author we admire, or another attendee interested in friendship.

If we don’t take the time to seek Your will and Your guidance, we’re going to run out of strength and present less than our best. Please help each one of the attendees at this year’s conference to focus on You first, to ask for Your strength, and to trust that You have our steps ordered. The outcome might not be what we think it should be, but help us to remember that Your timing is perfect. As long as we trust in You, the desires of our heart will be attained.

Thank You for walking with us and bearing our load so that we can have peace.

Amen