I woke up feeling tired, with a sore throat and congestion from a cold. However, a text message exchange with one of my authors spurred me into action. I sensed I needed to push through and get her book published as quickly as possible.
I had all the pieces: formatted book files, book description, cover files, keyword and category research, and pricing structure. I made a couple of minor changes she requested to the book files and then logged into Amazon KDP. As soon as I found the page to upload the new file, an error message popped up on the screen:
I tried refreshing the page. Same message. I tried logging out and signing in again. Same message. I tried restarting my computer. Same message.
I was working on a devotional. So, I decided to adjust my tactic. I texted the author and another friend on my prayer team, shared the message, and asked them to pray. I also bowed my head and gave the project into God’s hands, asking him for help and wisdom in resolving the issue.
Within five minutes, I uploaded the new files and saved them. Everything else worked as expected. Half an hour later, a message appeared, confirming the book had been submitted and was being checked against KDP’s guidelines. The book appeared on Amazon in less than 12 hours!
When I encountered resistance, my first instinct was to push harder instead of pray. Sometimes “anyway” means persistence. But sometimes perseverance is not pushing harder. Instead, perseverance can look like stopping and asking God what to do next.
Prayer is not magic. I don’t always receive an answer in five minutes, or even receive what I requested. However, this time, the answer and timing were impossible to ignore.
Do you believe in the power of prayer? Do you live as if you believe it?
These two questions convicted me that sometimes, as Christian writers and publishers, we treat prayer as an option instead of the foundation for all we do.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
-Matthew 7:7-12
I’m grateful for the prayer team which supports me in my writing and publishing. Every week I send them three praise items and three prayer requests. I’m also thankful I can call on some of them anytime for extra support.
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This week I was reminded that I need to personally continue to make prayer a foundation in my life and ministry. Here are several ways I do that:
Starting my day with Scripture reading and prayer helps me focus on God rather than the problems I’m facing.
Currently, I’m enjoying participating in a weekly study along with Janis Cox where we study and memorize a short passage each week. The group she leads provides some accountability, which I appreciate.
I find I’m often able to focus better when I pray while walking. My morning walks also provide opportunities to take photos of the beautiful surroundings.
Shelley Hitz encourages writers to have business meetings with God. Too often, I decide what I’m going to write, publish, or promote and then I ask God to bless my plan.
Seeking God’s guidance first helps me prioritize my projects, allows me to benefit from the insight and wisdom of our Heavenly Father, and calms my heart and mind.
With God’s help, I’m learning to pray first and plan afterwards.
This past week, this is one of the notes that resonated most with others on Substack:
Writing can be lonely.
That’s one reason I’m convinced writers need community: not just people who read what we write, but people who encourage us, challenge us, pray for us, and cheer us on.
I’m grateful my prayer team does all of these things for me. I’m also enjoying the conversations in my chat with free subscribers.
Have you ever had a moment when you stopped working on a problem, prayed, and something changed? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!
Prayer is important during the whole process of writing, publishing, and marketing our books.
I’ve discovered that when I stop and ask God for wisdom, my fear and hesitation about marketing decrease significantly.
Instead of worrying about promoting myself, coming across as prideful, or being too salesy, I’m able to focus on asking God for creative ways to reach readers who want and need my book.
Next week, I invite you to explore marketing with me, especially if you’re feeling like you’re bothering people.
Until our next Story Byte, seek God and follow the next step He guides you to take. Every story matters, and I’m grateful we’re walking this writing journey together.
Until next week,
Ruth
P.S. Sometimes the next step in our writing journey isn't trying harder—it's getting the right support. Paid subscribers receive practical tools, monthly group coaching, and extra encouragement for the writing, publishing, and marketing journey. If you're ready to stop figuring it all out alone, I'd love to have you join us.
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