Prayer Journaling

I have been journaling in some form or another for more than four decades, doing everything from keeping diaries to simply writing my thoughts in notebooks. Many years ago, a dear friend introduced me to Prayer Journaling and after adopting this spiritual practice, my life has not been the same. Keeping a spiritual journal is not something new, it has been a widespread practice among God’s people for millennia. As long as people have been able to write, it has been common for them to write about what is most important to them. Thus, the people of God have recorded their thoughts about the things of God and they have done so using things akin to what is referred to as a journal today. Journaling dates back to biblical times. King David poured out his soul to God in the scrolls of the Psalms. The prophet Jeremiah expressed the depth of his grief about the fall of Jerusalem in the book of Lamentations.

This month, I want to encourage you to consider adopting the spiritual discipline of prayer journaling. A spiritual discipline is an activity that puts one in a spiritual position where we are open to God doing a transforming spiritual work in our lives. Journaling as a spiritual discipline provides us with a means of reflection which can spur us on to something deeper (1 John 3:2-3). Journaling becomes spiritual discipline when we use pen and paper to strengthen our faith in God. I believe adding this practice to your prayer life will have life changing effects. Engaging in this act of worship will make the time you spend with The Lord more effective and leave you feeling heard, loved and empowered by Him. A prayer journal can be a significant tool in deepening your spiritual life because by its nature it leads us to further revelation of who you are and who God is in your life (2 Peter 1:4). Through the spiritual discipline of prayer journaling, you will come to know yourself as you really are and feel the acceptance of the One who loves you no matter what (Romans 8:1).

There are different types of prayer journals and I will share three for your consideration: Praying God’s Word, Writing Your Prayers, and Listing The Good.

Praying God’s Word:

This form of prayer journaling focuses on reading, studying and meditating upon The Word of God for direction in our day lives (Psalm 1:3 and James 1:25). Countless Christians have utilized journaling as a way to help them focus on the biblical text and preserve their reflections. Before the beginning of time, God had a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 1:5) and He has something to say about every aspect of our lives. When you and I engage in the practice of praying His Word, we apply The Word, say what God says and use the power we have in Jesus’ name to change things. Praying God’s Word renews our minds, brings life into His perspective and encourages us to yield to His good plan.

Writing Your Prayers:

This form of prayer journaling allows the Holy Spirit to bring together, in a redemptive and revelatory way, God’s love and our need to articulate what is deep in our hearts. Deep joy and satisfaction can come from getting our complicated and confusing thoughts or feelings out through words on a page. Writing our prayers allows for honest, personal communication with The Father as well as the opportunity to share our true selves without reservation (Philippians 4:6-7). God wants to be in constant communication with His children and wants us to feel His presence. He is our Father and wants to be our friend. He longs to talk with us as we seek His wisdom, learn from Him and live in peace. Writing our prayers also provides a record of God’s answers, our spiritual growth and can provide divine perspective.

Listing The Good:

This form of prayer journaling helps us to focus on God’s goodness and develop our thankfulness (Colossians 4:2). When we practice gratitude, we open ourselves to feeling God’s presence our lives. Practicing gratitude can change our thoughts and actions. The more we focus what we are grateful for, the more things we find to be grateful for. When we commit to chronicling our gratitude, we are training our minds to look for the good in everything (Philippians 4:8). Gratitude helps us to see the good things as gifts from God, gifts that we do not deserve (James1:17). Counting our blessings or listing the good builds muscular faith that will hold us up when life gets rough. Keeping a gratitude journal gives us material to enhance our testimonies which can be used to draw others to a saving relationship with Jesus.

Whatever form of prayer journaling you choose to adopt as a spiritual practice, intentionally focus on the experience of being in God’s presence. It is my prayer that as you engage in growing your faith in this way, The Father will reward you. As you spend time prayer journaling, listen for His voice, remembering He has something to say. Ask The Father to speak to you while you write; keeping your ears and hearts open to His voice (1 Samuel 3:10). The Father wants you to spend time with Him, He wants you to spend time studying The Word, deepening your relationship and enjoying His presence. God loves you and will renew your mind as you spend time focused on Him. As you engage in the spiritual practice of prayer journaling, God will transform you and reveal Himself to you. He will show you the great and mighty things He has for you. I know God has far more for you than you could ask, dream or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). I dare you to give Him your time, your attention, your energy and your life through the spiritual discipline of prayer journaling. You will grow stronger in your faith, become wiser in your thoughts as well as your actions and I promise you will not regret it.

Join me Under The Church Hat for this month’s exercise:

Describe in less than 250 words your current spiritual discipline. If you are not currently engaged in a spiritual discipline, explain why.

Spend one week engaging in each of the three types of prayer journaling described in this devotional. Decide upon one to continue for the remainder of the month.

Which type of prayer journaling do you prefer and why?

After engaging in the spiritual practice of prayer journaling, what, if any changes have you noticed?

Choose a passage of scripture from this devotional to meditate upon for the month.