The pastor’s wife took the stage and began her input as we all listened intently to her words. She spoke about her relationship with God and the ups and downs she had experienced over the decades. Unlike her, I was still new to faith, eagerly absorbing these new impressions.
In the middle of her sermon, she pulled out a collection of colorful notebooks—her prayer journals. In these books, she had recorded her deepest insights from the Bible, her prayers, as well as her worries, dreams, and feelings.
Her words left me deeply impressed and highly motivated. This was exactly what I wanted to implement in my own life. I bought a beautiful notebook and began to document my time with God in writing. It has been over ten years since I first sought God’s presence with pen and paper. I can say with full conviction that the prayer journal has changed my life.
It is not a traditional diary, as I only record very selected events from my life. I never note what I did on a particular day. Instead, I focus on my engagement with God’s Word, my wishes, thoughts, and prayers. Daily, I reflect and communicate with my heavenly Father.
Over the years, my content and routine have evolved:
For a while, I focused on the theme of gratitude. I sharpened my awareness of all the good I already had and how God was working in my life.
At another phase, I wrote down a verse each day that particularly spoke to me during my Bible reading. After a few weeks, I could look back and recognize themes that God was placing on my heart.
There was also a time when I intensely explored my desires and asked God to give me His dreams for my life. Every day, I brought my heartfelt wishes and prayer requests before Him. Some of those dreams I’m living today.
On other days, I wrote about everything that was on my heart. Deep-seated pain and overwhelming joy were reflected in these lines—all for the glory and testimony of God’s love.
My journey of inner healing is also recorded in these pages, reflecting God’s power and faithfulness.
Currently, I enjoy reading the Bible prayerfully. I often pause to pray over what I have read and take notes. I perceive God’s voice best when I read the Bible. Specific verses or biblical stories speak directly into my life and current situations. I record my new insights in my prayer journal.
Even my blog originated from my engagement with the Bible and my prayers. Some of my posts first appear in my notebooks before they make it to social media. For years, I have been sharing selected insights and prayers online so that others can benefit from them.
When I flip through my old prayer journals, I see how many prayers God has answered and the unforeseen turns my life has taken. In hindsight, I recognize how God has always meant well for me, even though I don’t yet have all the pieces of the puzzle. It’s beautiful to see the path I’ve taken and the processes God has led me through. Sometimes I’m surprised by the worries and concerns I brought before God—many of which have been resolved and were unfounded.
Writing down my thoughts and prayers helps me to sort my inner self and reflect on God’s work in my life. In doing so, I can speak openly and honestly with God, just like David in the Psalms, who held nothing back. I want to discover what His heart beats for and what defines Him. I long for deep transformation through His loving presence and seek guidance for my life. All of this becomes possible as I seek Him daily in the Bible and in prayer.
Here are some suggestions for your own prayer journal:
1.Reflect on your deepest heart’s desires and dreams for your life.
2.Write down a Bible verse that particularly speaks to you and think about it: What does the text say? Why does this verse resonate with you? What can you ask for in prayer?
3.Read some Psalms and consider what these texts reveal about God. Who is God in the light of these biblical texts and what does He do? How do the verses resonate with our own feelings?
4.Write down everything that is on your mind and consciously hand it over to God. Ask Him to help you and to speak into your current situation.
5.Think about the concerns of your family, friends, and community. Who can you pray for and what can you ask for them?
6.Start each day by writing down a few things you are grateful for.
7.Ask God to heal your heart and reveal any dark spots within you. Ask Him to show you what you need to let go of or forgive, and where you need forgiveness yourself.
8.Try to be aware of your current emotions: How do you feel right now? Talk to God about your feelings and ask Him to work in your heart.
9.Pray about your plans and goals for the day and the coming weeks. Ask God for His guidance and that His will be done. Ask Him for help in setting your priorities well.
10.Sit with a selected Bible verse, read it slowly several times, and note your thoughts and prayers about it. Stay with this text as long as possible, and ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance.
This list is not exhaustive but is meant to give you ideas to start your own prayer journal.
Imagine writing down your prayers and reflections from your quiet time for an entire year. At the end of the year, you can look back and see how many prayers God has answered and the path He has led you on. Reading through your previous prayer journals can be encouraging for you as well. Take a notebook and a pen, write down what you think and feel, and invite God into a conversation with you.
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