How to include Jesus in the writing process / Christian writing advice

It seems easy enough to include Jesus in our Church life, or Bible time in the mornings, but what about our writing life?

Writing is such a personal thing, and often feels very singular, like we have to do it on our own. Inviting someone else in – especially the Spirit, and not a physical person – might feel a bit strange!

Why does Jesus need to be a part of our writing lives anyway?

I’ve always known Jesus, always prayed to Him, always said that my writing is His. But it’s only recently, the last year or two, that I’ve actually started inviting Him into my writing process.

I think one of the biggest reasons to do so is that there are things God can bring to our stories that we cannot. It’s great to pray about our writing away from when we’re working, but what if we had Him there while we write? What if He was right in there with us in those moments of creation? Wouldn’t that bring such Devine beauty to our work? I think so.

It also builds a new kind of intimacy and communion between you and God. A kind that is unique to working on something together. If there’s an opportunity to get to know Him better, I’m all in!

So, how to invite Him in? How to include and not exclude the greatest creator of all?

Easier said than done, that’s for sure!

When I sit down at my computer I try to be in a prayerful state. Meaning, I try to have open conversation with God as I write. I put my heart in the position that’s quick to sense conviction, and happy to change what I’m doing.

I’m still learning, and remembering things is not my strong point! But I try to pray before writing, to see if the Lord wants to put anything specific on my heart to include (or exclude) in my writing that day. This also sets me up well for hearing from Him the rest of the time. It gives him the in to interrupt my writing and do something special.

Prayer is a great way to start off, and carry on with throughout our writing time!

Going to God as a first place for advice can feel strange, but trust me, it’s incredible what He does with the invitation to instruct!

Some of the biggest God moments in my writing occur when I am stuck (which is rather often as a very unplanned pantser). It’s usually when I’m not sure what scene should come next, or how to make a character come across the right way.

What God comes up with is always better than what I could have thought of.

So, whenever we are stuck, let’s turn to Him before Google, or our favourite author. He knows story better than anyone, even though an author is not the first thing we see him as. He is all knowing, and the most creative being in the universe. What a privilege to get to partner with Him on our books!

Praying blessings and His anointing over our books and stories is another very powerful thing we can do.

Prayer that He would use them for His purpose, to change the world for the better. The enemy tries to convince us that our prayers aren’t important, and have no power. No wonder why! He is terrified of our prayers, especially powerful prayers of dedication and surrender of a book.

If you’re unsure about anointing and dedicating things to God. Seek His Will out through the scriptures and prayer, ask and he shall answer.

Including God in all the parts of our writing means planning, writing, editing, and publishing. All these stages need His special touch. We’ve talked about including Him in your writing, which is a large part of the process. But what about the other stages? Let’s talk about each briefly.

Planning.

This could look like sitting down with God like it’s a meeting, and going through things with Him. Asking LOTS of questions about characters, plot, and theme. It could also look like swinging on a swing, listening to your book’s playlist and chatting to God. (This is my favourite way to plan personally).

Editing.

Seek His desire for your book. Prepare to change your story, and seek how He wants to do that. Listen to advice and consider it. Turn to Him for strength and motivation when you are tired, or want to quit. He wants your book to succeed even more than you.

Publishing.

So many decisions to make in this stage. It can feel a bit overwhelming where to even start, or which direction to go in. When you find an option that feels right, pray about it, and then walk forwards in faith. It’s about taking the next step, and not worrying too much about what you’re missing out on. Talk to God about book covers, whether to indie or traditionally publish, whether there’s anything else to change about the book. He will step up to whatever level of guidance to seek.

Now, as a final note. I want to address the feeling that might be burning in some of our hearts.

It’s not even going to be my book anymore after all this. I’m just being used by God, and not having any say in it!

Firstly, this is a totally fair worry. To partner with someone on something as personal and precious as a book is a big thing. But I truly believe that Jesus is only going to enhance your experience of writing, not take away from it. He is your Abba, and your friend, wanting only the very best for you and your creativity.

He created us, our quirks, our likes, dislikes, the very depths of our beings. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Although it’s a difficult thing to make sense of down here on earth, it can be fully Him, and fully authentic to us. The fullness of Christ doesn’t abolish our unique selves, it washes over and purifies it, beautifies it, making us more as we were created to be than ever.

It’s the same with our writing. The more we invite Him in, the more we will find our true voice, our true style, our true stories. It will be fully Him, and fully us, all at the same time. A little miracle.

Let’s make space for Him this hour. This day, week, month, year. Let’s invite Him to move within our writing, and watch the beauty unfold before our fingertips.