Prayer Launch ~ Feb. 27, 2022
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7
There is nothing more anxiety causing for an author than a book release. At least, there isn't for me. That moment when a little piece of yourself gets exposed to the world is terrifying. Even moreso when you know that it isn't just your thoughts and ideas being exposed, but the ones God has entrusted you to share.
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Claiming the peace from Philippians 4 can seem impossible. This book has been in my hands for a while. I've been able to tweak it, change it, completely rewrite it.
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No more. My hands are done. It's now time for God to do what He will with it. I can only trust that I've been a good and obedient steward with the message He entrusted me to share.
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That's easier said than done.
"Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them." ~ Matthew 18:19-20
On Sunday, February 27, 2022 I'm asking you to join me. No matter where you are, we can come together in the name of Jesus and pray for God's will to be carried out with Jonas and Harriet's journey.
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You can pray at your church's altar, in your home, or with a group of friends. The beautiful thing about the body of Christ is that we do not have to be physically connected in order be joined together in prayer.
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Writing is, by nature, a solitary endeavor. I've been alone with this story for a very long time. I don't have to be alone when I let it go. This book doesn't have to go into the world on my power. It goes in God's power, lifted up by the prayers of many.
What do I pray for?
If you need help figuring out what to pray for, you can choose any or all of the items below. You do not have to choose these. Pray whatever God lays on your heart. He's going to hear what is needed either way. (Rom. 8:26)
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* Pray for Kristi (Colossians 1:9-12)
Yeah, I know. But did I mention that letting go of a book is hard? Pray for peace. Pray for balance (launching a book can take over your life). Pray that the people who don't like it won't make me depressed and the people who love it won't go to my head. Pray that I write God's message into the next one (which would also mean praying for this one to have enough success that I can continue putting out books).
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* Pray for the Unbelieving Reader (1 Timothy 2:1-7)
Whether you know it or not, everyone that reads Christian fiction isn't a Christian. Pray that those who read it will see the love and grace of God. Pray that hearts will be softened and motivated to seek out the truth of the Gospel.
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* Pray for the Believing Reader (Romans 12:19, 1 John 1:9)
Sometimes people can see themselves in book characters in such a way that God can teach them something they wouldn't be open to hearing otherwise. Pray that the Christian reader hears God in the story. That they would finish the book knowing the truth about grace and forgiveness.
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* Pray for the Book (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Books are funny things. They land in the hands of people of all walks of life, all histories, all faiths - or lack thereof. Pray that this book goes where a person can't. Pray that it gains the visibility needed to get in front of those who need to read it. The Word of God will not return void so the prayer is that these seeds land wherever they should.
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* Pray for the Launch (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)
A lot of things happen during a book launch. People talk about the book. People talk about me. They talk to me. And I do an awful lot of talking to them. Social media. Blogs. Interviews. Book signings. Pray that in all of these communications and moments it isn't me or even the book that is seen, but God and the light He brings.