A Writer’s Grateful Prayer for the Hard Days

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

November has become the month of gratitude for me. While this past year has been a challenging one, I’m certain I’m not the only writer looking back over my shoulder at disappointments or even heartaches. But as I considered today’s blog post, my thoughts became a prayer of gratefulness: 

A Prayer From a Weary and Grateful Writer

Thank You for the hard days, God.

Although it seems the difficult outweighs the good this year,

Nothing overshadows your abundant grace –

And perhaps that was the lesson I was meant to grasp.

Thank You for the days when writing was a slog, God.

When the page was quicksand,

Sucking away any attempts at originality or the slightest bit of progress,

And my feeble efforts left me totally dependent on You.

Thank You for the days when comparison backed me into a corner, God.

When I realized, once again, that I wasn’t as good as so many other writers,

Deciding my ability was less-than,

And I was reminded to look only to You for affirmation. 

Thank You for the days when Imposter Syndrome caused me to cower, God.

When I wondered who I was to step up and accept applause or acclaim,

Certain someone would call me out as a pretender.

And You told Me to stand firm in Your calling on my life.

Thank You for the days when interruptions trumped word count, God.

When I didn’t meet my daily goal while my deadline loomed.

Struggling with fear, wondering why I said yes to this dream,

And You assured me that Your strength is always sufficient for me.

Thank You for the days when loneliness weighed me down, God.

When I wished the writing life wasn’t so solitary,

That it wasn’t just me and the still-blank page.

And You promised me that You are with me every single moment of my days.

As 2024 winds down, I’m praying you also find reasons to be grateful, my friends.

TWEETABLE

A Writer's Grateful Prayer for the Hard Days, @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at BETHVOGT.COM.