Lord, at your last meal with your closest friends and followers, you wrapped the servant’s towel around your waist, and washed your disciples’ feet. And though Peter objected at first, he submitted, saying, “Then, Lord … not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” (John 13:9, NIV).
Like Peter, Lord, I shudder to submit myself and my writing to your cleansing work.
But I know I need it.
My writing needs your care.
So, I pray, Lord, wash,
not my feet,
but my hands, my heart, my thoughts.
Cleanse my motives, intentions, and attitudes.
Purge me of pride, worldly ambition, and self-sufficiency.
Wash clean my words, my sentences, my paragraphs, and pages,
to your purpose and for your glory, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Easter Break List for Writers
Amen!
Thank you, Bob. I’ll print this and post it by my computer.
Better clean me up, oh, Lord,
and better make it good,
’cause it’s a wall I’m headed toward,
and things aren’t looking good.
I thought that I would have more time
to straighten up my act,
but now my shower’s on Your dime,
and I must face the fact
that left unto my own devices,
I would have just procrastinated,
cutting days to smaller slices
through which I would have hesitated,
so now at last I turn to Thee
to wash my heart, and set me free
Writing at 4am…sheesh. Another word repetition in the first quatrain which SHOULD have read…
Better clean me up, oh, Lord,
I really wish You would,
’cause it’s a wall I’m headed toward,
and things aren’t looking good.
Embarrassing!
Andrew, your “whoopsie-doodle” moments would be most wannabe poets’ crowning achievements.
Thank you, my friend, and thank you, Bob, for articulating and embodying the humility every Christian writer should embrace.
Karen, you’ve honoured me so much. All I can say is, thank you.
Andrew, I never even noticed that. Clearly, I need more coffee ….
Pam, I can’t drink coffee any more (heck, I can’t drink Coca-Cola any more!), but may I suggest Jamaican Blue Mountain? It’s strong, smooth, and the aftertaste is wonderful.
It’s not cheap (DON’T buy a blend!), but it’s worth it.
Amen.
Yes and amen. This is a beautiful prayer and meditation, Bob. Like Shirlee Abbott commented, I will print this out and place it on my desk as a daily reminder. It brings to mind Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Thank you for sharing this timely devotion and prayer.
Amen! Exactly what I needed this morning–printing and posting in my office. Thank you, Bob!
Amen. Thank you, Bob!
Amen.
Well said.
Wow, Bob. Thank you so much, and thanks to a God who is able to deliver us from all those nasty things that can linger in our hearts and minds!
That is a prayer of one who has experienced inward revival. Revival is for Christians who have eternal life. How can one be revived who does not have life in the first place?
Yes! Amen. ✝️
Beautiful! What a wonderful reminder to have the Lord wash over our work! Thank you. I will also be printing this.
Amen!
Amen!
Thank you for wonderful words to follow my morning reading of Leviticus 8 (the purification of Aaron and his sons for service). And that word “ambition” popped up in my devotion book reading, too.
I’m getting the idea there’s something here I ought to pay attention to : )
Amen!
Posting this by my computer along with Steve’s Dark Friday. Thank you!