A Prayer When You Are Struggling with Creativity
By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10
Listen or Read Below:
When I was younger, arts and crafts felt like home. In elementary school, art was my favorite subject. But that joy was quickly taken from me by people I trusted.
In sixth grade, my art teacher ridiculed my work in front of the class and told me I had no talent. As a child, I took her words to heart. I believed I wasn’t good at art and would never become the artist I dreamed of being.
Things didn’t get better when I started homeschooling in seventh grade. My mom praised my sister’s art but was always disappointed in mine. Even though I spent hours doing my best, she said my work was awful.
In my final year of homeschool, I was the only student left. I thought that without comparison, my mom might finally like what I created. I began sketching trees, adding color, and writing Bible verses alongside them. I felt proud and hoped she would be too. But when she saw them, her expression fell. She said they looked too cartoonish and accused me of not taking the project seriously.
At seventeen, I stood there holding my work, tears in my eyes. That day, I accepted what I had come to believe: I wasn’t a good artist. Since then, I’ve struggled to do anything artistic. The criticism I received stole my creativity.
Maybe you’ve experienced something similar. Maybe someone tore down your art, and you gave up. Many of us have known the pain of having something we loved dismissed or destroyed.
But the Bible tells us, “We are God’s handiwork.” That means God is creative, and as His children, we reflect that creativity. It may be buried deep after years of discouragement, but it’s still there.
Creativity isn’t just a hobby; it can point others to Jesus. Through art, music, or writing, we reflect the beauty and truth of our Creator. Don’t let the wounds of the past keep you from what God has planned (Jeremiah 29:11). He delights in the work we create with the gifts He has given us. He is always proud of the offerings we bring with a sincere heart.
Let’s Pray:
Dear God,
My creativity feels lost. I want to create, but too many voices have told me I’m not good enough. I didn’t want to give up, but now it feels pointless. Please remind me that You care about my art—that You see beauty where others saw flaws. You are the greatest Creator, and because I’m made in Your image, I carry Your creativity within me.
Help me begin again. Heal the wounds that keep me from trying. I know this won’t happen overnight, but I believe You can restore what’s been broken. Bring art back into my life and help me find joy in it once more.
Thank You, God. Amen.
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Trifonov_Evgeniy
Related Resource: Even Christians Struggle with Addiction and Forgiveness
This week on The Jesus Calling Podcast, we welcome writer Jonathon M. Seidl, who transparently shares his struggle with alcoholism. Jonathon opens up about how he turned to alcohol as a solution to his problems, the breaking point moment when he realized something needed to change, and the real, raw, honest circumstances that led him to healing.
Originally published Thursday, 26 February 2026.
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