The lyrics of an old, treasured hymn remind me “what a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer.” And it’s an even greater privilege for me to join in prayer every month with a trusted group of friends and fellow authors. The six of us have been praying together through the magic of Skype for some time, now. We live thousands of miles apart—Elizabeth Musser is in France, Susan Meissner in California, and the rest of us (Robin Johns Grant, Deborah Raney, Sharon Garlough Brown, and I) are scattered around in the middle in two different time zones. Yet we “meet” regularly to pray for each other and for our calling as writers.
Being an author can be a lonely and isolated profession at times, but we don’t need to feel alone. My prayer partners understand the challenges that come with editors and deadlines and book contracts. We can pool our collective wisdom to help each other resolve problems, while offering sympathy and understanding. All six of us know how difficult it is to balance our writing, our faith, and our family lives, and how a concern in one area effects all of the others. Their prayers have helped me maintain that delicate balance and have enriched my books.
During our on-line prayer times and in the weeks between meetings, I’ve felt reassured, knowing my friends are praying for me, just as I’m praying for them. Along with their prayers, my partners have offered me wisdom, understanding and friendship. And when we’ve seen answers to our prayers, all six of us celebrate and rejoice together.
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit!” the hymn says. “Oh, what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Praying together is life-giving. Shared burdens are lighter, shared joys more joyous. Might you be able to find a group of friends to pray with on a regular basis? Distance is no longer an obstacle thanks to modern technology. And the benefits of communal prayer are life-changing.
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A privilege indeed, Lynn! I love how you tied this to that wonderful old hymn!
Dani Pettrey and I have been prayer partners for 7 years now. It makes such a wonderful difference to share prayer support with writer friends who understand!
Love friendships like this! I have some sweet friends that have been with me since college. We don’t see each other often, but we make each other laugh with texts quite regularly.
This post is so spot on, Lynn! It has been a privilege indeed getting to know and share with you all.
Lynn and fellow praying authors,
Oh how I love that you do this together. What a way of bringing glory to the Lord and demonstrating the power of ‘when 2 or 3 gather …’
I am sorry I do not remember which book I read a while back but I remembered that I wanted to recall your name and look up more of your work! I think it is awesome that you all pray together and you are connected to Elizabeth Musser! I knew her late sister in law who had the same name! It was emotional to read her for the first time! God bless Christian authors! You have a unique ministry!
So Thankful for Authors like you Love reading about these awesome Author’s!
Thanx for sharing your prayer group. What a special connection your six have! May God’s blessings enrich your lives as you seek Him.
What an amazing witness to our Lord and Savior. That He works through your books to reach those who would never pick up a book that is Christ centered, is indeed a Privilege. I am so thankful to know you vicariously through your books and your sharing in your blogs and FB. Thank you!