Praying, Every Time, No Matter What

The book “Killing Lions” is a conversation between John and Sam Eldredge about the trials young men face.

[John]   Sam, What have you been learning as you pursue your dreams, especially as it relates to writing this book? Has it gone easily? What have you had to do to get breakthrough?

[Sam]   You know, sometimes it really should be quite obvious, but it isn’t always. Often I sit down to write and this little voice says, You suck. You are a terrible writer. You can’t do this. Just go get a beer already. I mean, it’s a little voice for crying out loud ... you’d think that would be obvious! Once I’ve pushed through those and am able to open up a document, I’ll try and spend a couple of hours at the computer. A professor I knew once said, “The greatest tool a writer can have is glue to keep him in his chair.” Maybe instead of glue it has been praying, every time, no matter what. If I don’t pray, no writing happens. Seriously. So I’ve learned to first consecrate the book, my office, the day, my gifts, pretty much anything that pops into my mind and feels important and relevant. Then I ask God to guide me and to write through me, to give me the words, and then I write. Sometimes I think God speaks and sometimes I think he doesn’t. But to be honest, without the framework of warfare, prayer seems weird, like tai chi or a beauty pageant contestant wishing for world peace. But I do know this: if I didn’t pray, this book wouldn’t have happened.

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