Writer’s block got you down? You can try the usual remedies: finding fault with your significant other; reading John Grisham (“I can write better than that!”); or looking for real work. But what do you do when all else fails? Seek divine intervention, of course.

Catholicism offers four patron saints just waiting to hear your petition. Saint Francis de Sales is a patron saint of writers and journalists. For best results, travel to Lyons, France, where his disembodied heart is entombed in a shrine. No one knows how his heart became separated from his body, but legend has it an editor was involved. Saint John the Apostle is a patron saint of authors and writers, in addition to publishers, booksellers, bookbinders, lithographers, papermakers, printers, painters, typesetters and editors. Without John, we’d probably still be scratching petroglyphs onto rocks. Saint Lucy of Syracuse is a patron saint of writers, in addition to throat infections and salesmen, so there may be some competition for her attention. And there is Saint Paul the Apostle, one of the most influential early Christian writers. Also available is the archangel Gabriel (or, if you are Muslim, “Jibril”), the angel of creative writing.

If your tastes run to the exotic, you have many choices.The Greek god Hermes was the patron god of high arcane literature. At last, we have a god of literary magazines. The Muses are also available: Calliope, for Epic Poetry; Clio, for History; Erato, for Love Poetry; Melpomene, for Tragedy; Polyhymnia, for Sacred Poetry; and Thalia, for Comedy.

The Hindus recognize Saraswati as the patron goddess of writers and poets. She is worshipped every year on the 5th day of the Hindu month of Maagha. Hindu law prohibits reading or writing on that day so, instead of confessing to writer’s block, tell your editor you were worshipping Saraswati. The Hindus also worship Ganesha, the patron of letters. His blessings are often invoked while writing, although not usually in epithet form.

The Babylonians prayed to Baalat. She is associated with books, libraries, and writers. The Santerians worship Ochun, goddess of art and beauty. She is also known as the goddess of laughter, joy, generosity, abundance, love, marriage, and the erotic, so who knows, you might get lucky. The Norse worshipped Bragi, god of poetry and eloquence.

The Mayans worshipped Itzamna, god of drawing and letters. Itzamna reportedly could resurrect the dead. His symbol is a red hand, to which you pray to resurrect your writing. The Mesopotamians worshipped Nebo, god of writing and speech. Nebo wrote men’s deeds down in a book, which he produced for judgment after death, like a rejection letter. His symbol is the stylus. The Egyptians worshipped Thoth, god of writing. While his wife, Seshat, invented writing (behind every successful god there is a goddess), Thoth taught it to mankind. Thoth wrote books containing all that was known about magic, including how to get published.

If you can’t find salvation for your writing from this list, well, I’ve got bad news for you. You may just have to sit down at your desk and write.