TO the ARTIST and Your FAMILY
Christmas 2025
(by Stephen Bennett, December 2025)
Being an Artist
It is a profound privilege to be an artist; the arts has great power today more than ever. 2025 onward we’ll see the greatest ‘Arts Renaissance’ rising, especially from those in relationship with God. Our world runs on creativity. If you take creativity out of the world and the Church, it will be in serious cultural deficit.
As artists, I encourage you to know God as an artist, after all, that is who and what He is; the root source of all creating, The Creator; love personified in a wildly passionate multi creative God. (My helpful book, The Divine Artist. Links end of Article)
Prayer: Pray for all that is coming in the world and artists to rise and take their place.
Gifts
We are all humans made in His image. God gave you irrevocable creative gifts for the betterment of life. Pray and commit them to Him, and His Holy Spirit will give you ideas, music melodies, paintings, scripts, and artistic solutions you will never think of on your own.
Creativity inspired by God’s Spirit, has tangible power to affect lives. Living the creative life is full of adventures, sometimes unusual, especially through committed faith in Jesus Christ. You will have many challenges and you will need much perseverance and trust.
There is nothing more exciting when you have a song, sound, theme, or painting that just comes to you. Like a poem, lyric or melody for example, and you know it’s from God! Poetry is like watching a movie in your mind, heart & spirit; also like a river, you can’t stop it when it turns up. Just like songs, music, whatever the idea.
The pen, the brush, the instrument, has to be ready in the writers hand, to craft and create what you see. Don’t be satisfied with average, but always strive to do your excellent best for God, even the spontaneous has to be also crafted to communicate what the Spirit is saying.
As a multi-creative this has been my tangible experience all my life. This life leads you into the unavoidable must-do; praying. Artists; make praying a daily conscious part of each day. There are many challenges and battles, which all help build your character and faith.
Prayer: Pray the Lord will give you strong faith, and His plans and strategies for all your art. Wait upon Him and it will come and you will know what to do.
Art is Prophetic
The nature of the arts is prophetic, as many artists know. Why? It’s inherent from the character and nature of God. The reason why many artists throughout history are prophets, or prophetic to some degree, is because they know God. Their artistic voices speak down through the corridors of the ages. The spirit of prophecy is intrinsic within the whole nature of God and the world, especially when Jesus is in the centre of it.
If you have a relationship with God, you will find, ‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Revelation 19:10b). Creative artistic endeavour is prophetic at its core, as it belongs to God for His ultimate purposes. ‘All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.’ (Colossians 1:16). The deeper and longer you live for the Lord as an artist with this revelation, you will become more prophetic in nature, and at times also have spiritual battles with demonic forces that can affect your family, so you need to learn to be a prayer warrior for them at all times.
Prayer: Your eyes, spirit and heart, will be open to have an ear to hear the Lord’s will for your art, and your families creative destiny, that you can also create art carrying prophetic power and effect, staying strong and prayerful through any adversity.
Church needs Artists
The Church also needs the arts and artists very much in these days. Creative realms and purposes should be a deeply cared for; a core part of Church life. It’s not just meant for entertainment or only for the consumption of the world; remember, its ultimate purposes in the bigger picture of human endeavour, is for God in these last days.
However, many artists have struggled to know where they fit in Church and even in the world and this can be difficult with families and children where life needs stability for growth. On that note, as creative artists, male or female it’s vital you cover your children in prayer daily as they grow, learning to see their future and nurturing a home sanctuary where they too can grow spiritually and creatively.
Prayer: For artists and their families; husbands and wives are strong together, praying over their children, giving creativity in their space, and that they can have the community and home to make a difference in life and the House of the Lord.
Battles and Struggles
The battles in life as artists are real, let alone the struggles in daily living. The art of learning to handle the pressures of life with godliness, requires maturity in Christ and a committed faith regardless of circumstances. The challenges are endless, and you have to learn how to live in victory. The spiritual and natural worlds are woven together, you can’t separate them. Quote: ‘Life is a continual dance between the mundane and profound!’ (Stephen Bennett).
The worst of battles can ironically be in your church life, or it may be your current journey feeling a failure, or a there is a war against your faith with all hell trying to break your mind. Welcome to the world! God will not reject a failed heart.
Circumstances maybe rough, but your strength is faith in the Lord’s goodness, grace and mercy. It’s always an opportunity for you to change and have faith! Ask the Lord what you are to learn in the midst of battles and pressures; He will show you. On the other side, your victory awaits, and some of the best creativity you’ll ever make comes from these many challenges.
Prayer: Whatever is going on in life, good or bad, pray that all things will work out for good and God will help you and give you people to stand with you as you find a way forward.
Spiritual Warfare is Normal
In Christian life, spiritual warfare is normal. As all believers, as well as artists, have strife with the flesh in a hostile world, and attacks from ‘the rulers of the darkness of this age… spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.’ (Ephesians 6:12b). However Jesus won this war against evil, through death on the cross and His resurrection over 2000 years ago in that pivotal time of history. ‘Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.’ (Colossians 2:15).
Since then, the ongoing struggle with darkness is a combat of our faith, in these crazy changing times of the last days. We as artists have to take hold of spiritual authority with godly wisdom, that enables you to win the toughest battles. “Life is a war; fight with faith, don’t give up.” Everyone has adversity and challenges, you cannot ‘confess it away,’ or pretend it doesn’t exist.
Payer: You learn to fight for yourself in the good fight of faith, because life is a war and every challenge will make you stronger as you stand in faith and trust in the Lord.
Your Enemy
Satan has a pet hate for artists, musicians, singers and creatives of all kinds appointed to the Lord’s purposes. Why? We have his old worship job, that he vacated in heaven! Every artist and Christian is called to be a worshipper, but the ministry of music and song has a very powerful role to build kingdom, and pull down strongholds of darkness. The enemy fears those given to the purposes of God, who understand how to be a prophetic warrior musician or artist affecting the spirit world. It’s powerful sound breaking strongholds over churches, cities and nations, making ‘the heavens tremble;’ (Joel 2:10a).
In living this call well, our trust and security must be in God, not in ourselves, other people, or institutions. Your intimate relationship with God is pivotal in being an effective artist in this day and age.
Prayer: Be intentional with Jesus every day, and understand all He did for you through the cross and what it means to live in Christ daily. Know your enemy and how he works against you. Remember, ’no weapon can prosper against you’ with the Lord on your side.
Old Testament Creatives
In the Old Testament tabernacles of Moses and David, along with Solomon’s temple, the Levite creatives, musicians and singers, were the primary builders. The musicians, singers and artists, were leaders in the house of God. Those OT structures are types of the Church, the Body of Christ; artists are still to be leaders in the community of Church today. It is imperative to build in what Jesus is doing now, for where He wants us to be in the near future before His return to earth.
Prayer: For God’s will for artists in Churches everywhere. And where the Lord wants you to be planted and involved to make a difference in whatever context He has called you too.
Church and Change
In recent times, an unfortunate number of artistic people have been disenfranchised from what is understood as church. The reasons are many, but this should still break any shepherd’s heart. An artist’s life and talents may have not been handled well by church leaders who lack wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and those shepherds may not go looking for them when they are gone.
Nonetheless, as we see in society, some artists have ended up profoundly touching the world. Such irony, that they eventually influenced the Church anyway, from the outside! In the midst of a difficult journey, these artists managed to stay strong in the Lord. Others however, may have experienced backsliding from their faith, or living a frustrated unfulfilled life stuck in the past: for example, they know their call is to the local community of the church, but are ostracized from it.
Due to tradition, lack of understanding, or demonic warfare and pressure, some artists stay on the outside looking in because the doors of ‘church’ stay shut to them. It may also be that the Lord has other opportunities and purposes ahead, and maybe even a time of wilderness is needed so that they can become stronger to fulfil their future, ‘…coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved…’ (Song of Solomon 8:5), something only wilderness can do!
Build your relationship with God. Everything in life as an artist has to be strongly embedded in that relationship. That way you can grow and nurture strong children and good marriages, building an influential family.
The Church worldwide is in a reset upheaval and reformative change in these days post pandemic, and it’s important to understand the artist’s calling to the world and also their role in church life in the context of these last days. Historically in the templates of Old Testament examples, artists were actually set apart to minister in their creative areas, and were well provided for.
At its core, the sensitivity of the artistic creative nature is to restore and build; essentially to affect people’s lives for good and help them find God. This is the nature and the heart of the Father in heaven, and the desire for His Church. Good people bring great change.
Prayer: The Lord will restore many artists who are alone or isolated back into relationships and community, so they can grow and their art can find place to flourish wherever that may be.
Family
I have been fortunate to have been in creative ministries for nearly 50 years; in music recording, writing, TV, film and various other pursuits the Lord has given me. I too have had immense battles and challenges over the years, but God always brings me through. You learn to ALWAYS lean and trust in God. He has a constant plan and everything works together for good when you keep love and follow Him.
My children have grown into strong independent creative adults. Following their own path with their creative gifts and businesses in music, visual arts and other ventures; marrying, having children, building their own lives in faith, continuing legacy.
These are the greatest days to be an artist; I say, have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ always. He will NEVER let you down. He always has a plan.
Written By Stephen Bennett
Founder / Author / Musician / Creative
END TIME WRITERS
ETW Music Collective
Stephen is the Author of various books:
The Divine Artist,
The Poetry Packages,
Singers Musicians Artist – Prepare and Arise,
Prophet Musician – As I Have Called You,
The Power of Apostolic Music,
Revelation – the Terrible & the Good
(For more see ETW Store on website).
Instagram: @endtimewriters @etwcollective
FB: Stephen Bennett
ETW Music Collective
Listen to our recent prophetic music release, a ‘cinematic music masterpiece.’
We pray it stirs and excites your spirit! ‘Play loud, headset or speakers!’
Tonic audio:
Click RAIN icon and play!
tonicaudio.com/s/JKoNrHvVgiX4IVs1
Rain Stories:
See website dropdown links; About and Music-Rain on ETW site,
endtimewriters.com
4 Week / 28 Day Healing Scripture Program
(compiled by Bjorn Schmid, October 2025)
Dear brother and sisters in Christ,
here is a 4 week program of scriptures that I have pulled together to provoke meditation (not medication) and prayer for healing.
The first week is all based on Romans 8 – I sensed in the Lord that this chapter is so critically fundamental to develop the best attitude to Him for healing. Still not sure why, but that is what I seriously sensed the Holy Spirit saying to me.
Note that I have only listed the Bible references – you can look them up in your Bible or you can download one of the full scripture PDF documents linked after the list below.
Please also read the response to the Program by Mary Zarb, our beloved sister in Christ, at the end of this article.
Love in Christ,
Bjorn Schmid
Week 1 – Foundation for Healing
Day 1 – Romans 8:1-4
Day 2 – Romans 8:8-11
Day 3 – Romans 8:14-17
Day 4 – Romans 8:18-22
Day 5 – Romans 8:24-28
Day 6 – Romans 8:31-34
Day 7 – Romans 8:37-39
Week 2 – Our Lord Heals
Day 8 – Exodus 23:25-26
Day 9 – Psalm 107:19-20
Day 10 – Isaiah 53:4-6
Day 11 – Matthew 4:23-24
Day 12 – Matthew 11:28-30
Day 13 – Luke 6:17-19
Day 14 – Hebrews 13:8
Week 3 – Pray and Believe for Healing
Day 15 – James 5:14-15
Day 16 – Psalm 30:1-5
Day 17 – Isaiah 38:10-14
Day 18 – Isaiah 38:15-20
Day 19 – Jeremiah 17:14
Day 20 – Philippians 4:6-7
Day 21 – 1 Peter 5:6-11
Week 4 – Be Confident in Your Healing
Day 22 – Psalm 41:1-4
Day 23 – Proverbs 4:20-22
Day 24 – Proverbs 4:23-27
Day 25 – Isaiah 41:9-10
Day 26 – Psalm 91:14-16
Day 27 – Psalm 103:1-5
Day 28 – 3 John 2
Healing Program with Full Scriptures
For your convenience, you can also download a PDF document with the full scriptures using one of the links below:
4 Week Healing Scripture Program in the NIV (New International Version)
4 Week Healing Scripture Program in the NKJV (New King James Version)
Response on the Healing Program from Mary Zarb
So enjoyed this, thank You, Holy Spirit.
They are simple declarations to use. I am taking one Scripture daily and try to meditate on it during or throughout the day – like turning my focus on that particular Scripture and anything Holy Spirit highlights to go with it.
Delighted you began with Romans 8. Personally, Romans 8 tells the story of our Kingdom walk. We know that it is only by being empowered by The Holy Spirit, that we are enabled to walk Holy spirit – to our spirit i.e. walk – function – live according to the direction, leading, prompting of The Holy Spirit and not the flesh.
Paul so beautifully sets this out here in Romans 8 so simply giving the right argument and explanation to bring understanding and clarification. The people then, needed just as much instruction as we do now. Scriptures is so rock solid and assuring.
Thank you for listening to The Holy Spirit, Bjorn, each Scripture hit the mark for me.
Father I proclaim our divine reality in the Spirit, according to Your Word, which Jesus in John 17 says, IS TRUTH!!
“Jesus by Your stripes we HAVE been healed”
PS 91 says when we make YOU our dwelling place(which we have done) NO pestilence, infirmity, …… can come near our tent or dwelling – it cannot exist in Your Presence – the presence of Your Glory.
Also our bodies are temples of The Holy Spirit, and we are the home of Christ – Hebrews 3/6.
Father, we call forth our divine reality, as You see and understand it, Father, into full physical manifestation in Jesus’ Name.
To YOU, our God be the only glory, honour and praise.
Blessings and love in our dear Saviour.
Mary
2026 Prayer Guide for all Families within the Spheres of Influence
(prepared by Lilian Schmid)
The theme we propose for 2026 is to pray for all families in the marketplace and in all the Spheres/Mountains/Domains of Influence.
We have prepared a simple Prayer Guide to assist you. The document provides a prayer strategy for the sphere of Family and Marriage (which is foundational), and prayer points for families in the spheres of Business, Government and the Military, the Church, Law and Justice, the Arts, Education, Charity and Not-for-Profit, Health and Science (and Technology), Media and Entertainment, and Sport and Recreation.
Meditate on each of these sections and focus your prayers on each Sphere – take a day, a week, a month for each – follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We encourage you to take part in this prayer initiative as much as your are able; “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16b NLT)
Click to go to the 2026 Prayer Guide
Rest in His peace and love,
Lilian Schmid,
Prayer Strategist and Coordinator,
prayerstrategy.org