Create A Prayer Journal
Over the years, I've been encouraged to use a prayer journal. My friends who have kept one have expressed how it helps them keep their focus during their private prayer time. And, I've appreciated hearing them explain how they use theirs, as people are different, there are different ways to do it. But the goal is all the same: to enhance your personal prayer time with God.
A quick internet search revealed that depending on the translation, the word “pray” (and variants) is mentioned 650 times. And just think, this doesn’t include all those times where it was implied. We know that a healthy prayer life is critical for our healthy relationship with God. And perhaps a prayer journal can stimulate your quiet time. ​​
Begin Here
Before you start journaling, there are several things to consider:
​
-
What’s your personality type? Some people are very detailed, others like jotting down quick notes, and some don’t like journaling at all.
-
How much time are you going to dedicate to your prayer journal? Everyday? Twice a week? 15 minutes? An hour?
-
What is your goal in using one?
-
Do you just want a place to record requests of friends and family?
-
Are you going to write out your prayers?
-
Are you wanting to keep track of answered prayers?
-
Do you want a more methodical way to write down prayers?
-
​
​
The point is to have a direction identified of how you want to proceed. The great thing is you can change up how you do things at any time.
Blank Journals
I love pretty notebooks, and there are plenty of them on the market. You can pick up one just about anywhere, but you need to think about a few things before purchasing:
-
What is the binding, and does that matter to you? There are notebooks that don’t fold over nicely, and you would have to lay it flat to write on the left side. Spiral-bound and disc-bound notebooks are great for folding over. So, don’t overlook something as simple as the binding, because it may deter you from using your book.
-
Size. Are you going to carry this around with you or keep at home?
-
Do you want lined or blank paper?​​​​
​
3 ideas for blank journals
For Writers
For Creatives
Carry & Record
I'm guessing some of you grew up keeping a diary, if so, this would be for you. Write out your prayers as detailed as you'd like. Keep track of answered prayers, include scriptures and your thoughts and feelings. You may choose to plan out the pages by writing prayer prompts at the tops of the pages. The direction you take with this is up to you!
Do you like to draw or doodle? Feel free to embellish the pages of your journal. You may consider having a few colored pencils nearby or some pretty stickers. You may discover adding some color to your journal brightens the heaviness of seasons of trials that you may be writing about. You can also tape or glue special items on the pages. These things may include a note card from a friend, or something that you've read you want to cut out and save, etc.
Are you looking for a way to keep up with prayer requests when you're at church or Bible study? You can get a small journal that tucks into your Bible cover or purse. As those around you are asking for prayer, you have a place to jot them down and keep them together. No more jotting on scrap pieces of paper that fall to the bottom of your purse!
A more methodical approach...
My friends that were encouraging me to journal years ago were just using blank notebooks. I tried that, but it didn’t work for me. I felt scattered and my mind wandered while trying to write.
​
I think I was browsing Pinterest one day when I happened across a photo of someone’s prayer journal. They had taken a blank journal, a ruler, and a few markers and made it into something special. This lady had sectioned off her blank page. And in each section had a heading for something to pray for. (And, of course, it was very "artsy" looking!)
It motivated me to do something similar. I thought perhaps having something more methodical would be better for my brain, which usually thinks in spreadsheets. I needed something to help me be consistent. And for me, it was the answer. But instead of using markers and a ruler, I whipped out my laptop and created a “form.” And, I sized it to fit in my disc planner, and printed on both sides. It was a win for me, and I’ve been using this method since 2017.
​
Here's what worked for me...
I'm an advocate of disc notebooks. I have several and use them for different purposes. The one I use every day is my planner, so it made sense to me to actually include a prayer section in my planner rather than have a separate notebook.
You’ll see that at the top of my page is a place to put the date, then a place for me to write something I am thankful for. I personally try not to put people’s names but something that I may forget to thank God for. Yes, I do put people’s names in there from time to time, but you’ll see things like, “the cardinal outside my window,” “the new quilt for my bed,” “a hot shower,” and “the ability to think and reason.” We have so much to be thankful for, so don’t forget to include the little things as well as the big things! Begin with gratefulness.
On the right column, you’ll see little blocks with the names of my husband and children. Some days I may write out a sentence for each of them. Other days, I may write a fruit of the spirit or a character trait specifically for them, or write something I know they need. Again, it varies widely. There also have been days where I just started writing across that whole column. Perhaps something that was on my heart for everyone in my family.
On the left side, the “Pray for” column is space for my “weekly” things as well as timely needs. It's a given that we naturally pray for family and friends, but what we often forget is everything else around us. I needed something to remind me to pray outside my usual list: our country, the people that live on my street, police officers, etc. Given that I wasn't very good at keeping up with these, I got out a piece of paper and broke down different things to pray for on different days. It’s certainly not an original idea, but it works for me. I’ve snapped a photo of the one I’m currently using, which is actually a sticky note in the front of my prayer section.
​
Also on the left side is a box to record instances of answered prayers. While this may end up being left blank on some days, other days it may be overfull!
​
At the very bottom, the blue area is the space I left for myself. Somedays, I may bullet point my thoughts, other days it may be a pouring out of my heart. It's space for me to talk to God about my joys, fears, hopes, and struggles. Help me this day, Lord, to walk the path You've set before me...
​
Because I'm including my prayer journal within my planner, I typically include 5-6 prayer pages at a time (these are double-sided). After those are completed, I move them to another disc notebook, and put in fresh pages. I keep this notebook on my desk so it's easily accessible.
I have kept every page I've used since 2017, and they currently fill 3 notebooks. Every once in a while I'll browse through some of those pages and give God thanks where I have seen Him working.
​
Other things you can include...
Behind the daily pages in my prayer journal section, I also include prayer lists, prompts and other points to use during my quite times. I hope these suggestions will Spur you to think about things you could include in your journals.
-
Scriptures to use as prayer points, or perhaps meaningful for your current circumstances.
-
A page that lists all the neighbors on your street,
-
A list of people under a common theme, such as those battling cancer, friends' prodigal children, or your friends' "one-word" choices
-
Write a situation or event at the top of a page, either personal or something happening in your community, etc. Then write out prayer points and use this to help your focus. ​​
Remember that time spent in prayer is what is most important, and whatever your approach - you can't go wrong!