Every Author Needs a Prayer Team by Donna Partow

(This article is by Donna Partow – a million-copy bestselling author of Bible study guides and devotionals for women. She’s the Founder of Lifestyle Freedom Events).

I’m fired up and ready to rally the Kingdom Messengers! Today, I want to talk about something near and dear to my heart – the undeniable power of prayer and the absolute need for a prayer team that’s got your back as you embark on this incredible author journey!

Over the past year, I’ve been helping the wife of my first youth pastor (I mean the one from when I was 18 years old…that’s how long we’ve been friends) finally write her first book. Several months ago, she was diagnosed with cancer.  She kept on writing.

On Friday morning, she can cancer surgery and called around 7pm to tell me all had gone well, and her husband was taking her home. An hour later, she texted me from the side of the road. A man had run a red light and t-boned their car…an ambulance was on the way to take them back to the hospital. I’m not saying Kingdom Messengers are the only people who face challenges.  Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.”

But I can tell you from three decades of experience, that the enemy hates the written word and is relentless in his attacks against those of us who are committed to taking God’s message to the world. I could tell you story after story of the spiritual attacks I’ve faced and that my many fellow authors and clients have shared with me. We are in a spiritual battle.  And the more impact you have, the more the battle intensifies.

Listen, my friends, God has planted a message inside each one of us, and He’s calling us to impact lives, break chains, and bring hope to a hurting world through the written word. But we weren’t meant to do this alone – no, not at all! The Lord designed us for community, for connection, and for locking arms in faith-filled prayer.

You need a prayer team.

I resisted this idea for years.  I thought, “Who am I to have a prayer team? My ministry isn’t that big.  I’m not that ‘important’.  People have much worse problems than I do.  I should be praying for others, not asking them to pray for me!”  (That last one was my strongest objection!)

But I realized that really, it was all pride.  I thought I was tough enough to fight my battles alone.  I didn’t want to need anyone else.  I didn’t want to humble myself and say, “I really NEED prayer.”

I was so wrong. 

And, as a result, I think my life as a Kingdom Messenger has been much harder than it needed to be.

Please don’t make the same mistake. It’s time to get serious about your calling, and that requires a powerhouse prayer team of your own! Let’s dive into some practical steps to make it happen and ignite a movement of God’s presence and power through your writing:

Prayer Posse: Identify those on-fire believers who know how to storm the gates of heaven with their prayers. You want warriors who won’t back down, who’ll stand with you through thick and thin.  I’ve been so blessed to have people who have prayed with me as God called me to some of the most dangerous places in the world, from the mountains of Colombia to cave churches in the Middle East.

Clarify Your Calling: Clearly communicate the heart behind your writing ministry. Share the God-sized vision stirring in your soul. When you align your team with Heaven’s agenda, there’s no stopping the supernatural flow!
Make sure everyone knows what their fighting for. 

Dispense Specific Ammunition: Suit up your prayer team with Scriptures like the Sword of the Spirit! Make sure they’re equipped with verses that align with your message. Let’s claim promises like Isaiah 55:11 together – “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

I highly recommend that everyone on your team get a copy of the Prayer of Protection, which I have prayed over my own life and ministry for at least 15 years.  You can download a copy at www.DonnaPartow.com/protection 

Ask for What You Need: Be specific in your prayer requests. Whether it’s for divine inspiration, overcoming writer’s block, or touching the hearts of readers, let your team know exactly what to aim for when they intercede on your behalf.

Share the Victories: Every win, big or small, is worth celebrating! Share the testimonies of how God is moving through your writing. Celebrate answered prayers like we’re having a holy fiesta!

Gather Together: Gather your team regularly, whether it’s face-to-face or online. Zoom works just fine. Get together, worship, and pray up a storm! Unity is the secret to supernatural breakthroughs.  There is tremendous power in corporate prayer.

Express Your Gratitude: Don’t forget to express your heartfelt appreciation for your prayer team. Let them know their prayers are making a Kingdom-sized impact.  You might even send them small gifts, as a token of appreciation from time to time: maybe a prayer journal, notebook, candle – something for their prayer room!

Alright, my fellow Kingdom Messengers, it’s time to ignite the flames of prayer like never before! Together, we’re going to shake the foundations of the enemy’s camp and shine the light of Christ to the ends of the earth!

I’ll leave you with Ephesians 6:18 – “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” 

Love & Prayers,

Donna

P.S.  You can download a free copy of The Prayer of Protection at www.DonnaPartow.com/protection   The prayer will be emailed to you instantly, so be sure to check your spam box if you don’t see it right away.