Writing Conference Season Is Here: Begin with Prayer

by Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT

The 2025 writers' conference season is here. Some of you may be pondering whether to attend, while others may feel led to a conference but are unsure which one. Let me encourage you to ask God for your answers, whatever your circumstances.

I have written since 2007. His call to write was clear, but the content and the direction were out of focus. Over time, having many submissions critiqued by my Word Weavers groups and attending conferences where I felt like a fish out of water, my audience and purpose have come into focus. Without the relationships with writers I met at conferences and critique groups, my reach and impact would likely be much smaller.

While your journey is unique, I humbly suggest you pray over every decision during this upcoming conference season. 

5 Prayers for Your Writing Journey

1. Pray for strength. As a physical therapist, I have assisted many in gaining the strength to walk when they had given up believing it was possible. One thing that kept them moving forward was holding my hand and believing in my strength rather than their own. My fears about my writing often cause me to grab God’s hand and lean on His strength to move forward, just like my former patients leaned on me. Never has He failed. If you feel unready to attend a conference, ask God for strength.

2. Pray for godly counsel. Surround yourself with fellow writers who know your writing and your heart. Listen to their advice. Many of them will be God’s messengers sharing His guidance for you. When attending a conference, meet people. Ask God whom to speak with and listen to their guidance. The advice you receive may be for your current situation or a future season of your journey. Nothing is ever wasted. Pray for godly friends and advisers.

3. Pray for humility. An important lesson I have learned is that my writing always needs editing. And the content may not be what God intended. Sometimes, what is written is what I want to say. While accepting correction is painful, it is easier when my heart desires God’s message to shine forth. The first draft is never the best. Ask God for a humble heart.

4. Pray for boldness. Writing that moves a reader’s heart requires us to expose our weaknesses, failings, and fears. I have found it comfortable to be bold when my words are impersonal and do not cause an emotional reaction. But those words rarely move hearts. Peeling back the layers of protection we shield ourselves with requires confidence. Expert feedback at a conference will help you know if your writing moves hearts. Ask God for boldness.

5. Pray for patience. Jesus prepared for a long time, for a few years of public ministry. Think about all He achieved in a couple of years. You, too, may have a long season of preparation before a period of power. I have discovered that developing patience is difficult. But I tell myself, if Jesus can do it, so can I. The writing journey is more like the tortoise than the hare. Ask God for patience.

My advice for anyone considering attending a conference is to go. If you wait to be good enough, you may never feel ready. Go anyway. Faith is going without knowing all the answers. If God has placed the fire in your heart to go, then say yes. Please do not allow fear to smother that fire. Cover every decision with prayer and go forth boldly, holding God’s hand. He will provide everything you need. He has for me.

What conferences are you considering this year?

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Writing Conference Season is Here: Begin with Prayer - insight from Ginny Cruz on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Ginny Cruz, MPA, PT is a pediatric physical therapist, early intervention specialist, and award-winning author. Her writing encourages and teaches moms simple and effective ways to help their baby meet developmental milestones. In addition to writing, she enjoys hiking, reading, and camping with her husband. Find out more at ginnycruz.com, Instagram, or Facebook.