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Put God First in Your Writing Habit

As writers—especially Christian writers—it’s easy to get swept up in word counts, deadlines, marketing plans, and the ever-tempting chase of genre trends. But if we’re not careful, we’ll forget the very reason we were called to write in the first place. The heart of it all is simple: put God first in your writing habit.

Bach’s Example: A Life of Worship Through Work

As Tina shared in the podcast, Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers in history, began every composition with the letters J.J.—short for “Jesu Juva”, Latin for “Jesus, help me.” He concluded each work with S.D.G.—“Soli Deo Gloria”, meaning “To God alone be the glory.”

This practice wasn’t performative. It was a humble reminder that his creativity, his talent, and his calling all came from the Lord. Bach knew his work was a form of worship. What if we approached our writing the same way?

Before your fingers ever touch the keyboard or your pen hits the page, start with a prayer. Ask God to help you. Invite Him into your process, not just the product. And when you’re done? Offer the work back to Him—no matter how “good” or “bad” you think it is.

Biblical Literacy: Writing From a Full Well

If you’re not rooted in the Word, how can you expect to write something that’s authentically Christian?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”
 —2 Timothy 3:16–17

Reading Scripture daily—studying it, meditating on it, praying through it—doesn’t just help you grow spiritually. It fills your well. Even if you’re not writing overtly “Christian” books, your worldview, your values, your characters, and your themes will be shaped by what’s flowing through you.

Don’t write on empty. Ask God to give you the desire to write. He can rekindle a tired heart. He can help you find your voice again. He wants to be part of your creative process—not just when you hit a block, but every single step of the way.

Money and Motives

Let’s talk honestly for a moment. I (Jen) am so tired of the arguments I see in Christian writing groups about whether or not it’s okay to make money from your books. Listen, if a pastor doesn’t get paid, he can’t eat. Same goes for writers. Making money from your calling is not inherently wrong.

But let’s check our hearts: if your root desire to write is only the paycheck, you may be missing the story God actually wants to give you.

“In all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
 —Proverbs 3:6

That means genre, marketing, income—it all comes second. First, ask: “God, what do You want me to say?” And trust that the story He gives you will find the audience it’s meant to reach.

Prioritize Your Writing Time (Even in the Chaos)

I won’t lie: in this season of life, I’ve got a lot going on. Maybe you do, too. Family, jobs, church, health—there are times when writing can feel like it’s constantly on the back burner. But seasons are temporary. Even if you can’t write every day, don’t let your writing habit wither entirely.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
 —Colossians 3:17

Give your writing time to God. It doesn’t have to be hours a day. Sometimes it’s 15 minutes with a journal or whispering a prayer while you brainstorm. It all counts. The key is consistency and surrender.

Practice Humility

Writing is holy work—but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect on the first try.

Being humble means recognizing that you will need revision. That critique is not an attack, but a gift. That praise should always redirect back to the One who gave you the story.

If God gave you the seed of a story, it’s worth the time, care, and effort to tend it well. A pastor wouldn’t say, “God gave me this sermon, so I’m just going to wing it every Sunday.” No—he studies, rewrites, and prays over every word. You should do the same with your writing.

Let humility guide your edits. Let gratitude anchor your heart. And always point the glory back to God.

Final Thoughts

Putting God first in your writing habit doesn’t mean every book needs to be about Jesus or that every story needs a conversion scene. It means living in such a way that your creativity is an extension of your faith. That your words, whether bold or subtle, carry the fingerprints of the One who made you to write in the first place.

So today, before you write, pause. Pray. Ask Jesus to help you. And when you’re finished, whisper thanks.

Soli Deo Gloria.

(For more on Faith and Writing, see Episode 251, The 4 Ps of Building a Writing Routine Grounded in Faith.)

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