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Simple is the Key: How to Keep a Prayer Journal
As with every daily practice, there are many ways to make keeping a prayer journal more detailed or in-depth. I’m going to share with you how to keep a prayer journal that you will actually be able to stick with.
These first 3 steps are a basic outline of what I do each and every day—no matter what.
This is my quiet time with the Lord. And what I never realized before was that every single person has equal access to this open line of communication with God. You don’t need to attend seminary school or be baptized.
Anyone can talk to the Lord and He will talk back–you just have to be willing to listen.
A Wandering Mind
Some people can simply pray in their mind and talk to God that way, but I get way too distracted and start thinking about my grocery list or how I need to shave my legs. My mind always wanders.
Writing out my prayers has brought about a freedom in my relationship with Christ that I longed for but never knew if it was really possible.
Having a pen in my hand, determined to create sentences—that is what keeps my brain focused on the prayer—on writing the very next word.
Basic/Daily Prayer Journal Format:
Step 1:
Open with prayer. Ask the Lord to guide your mind to a piece of scripture, a memory, a sermon, a song, or a friend.
Step 2:
Begin writing—“Father, what do you want me to know about _________?” or “I am sensing that I am supposed to pray about ___________.” I try to stay in the Spirit at this point—allowing Him to guide my thoughts and I write whatever comes to mind. I keep writing until I’m done.
At this point, I usually have a good idea where God wants me to go and I’ve written my initial thoughts out. Sometimes it’s a couple pages and sometimes it’s a brief paragraph.
There have been many times where it’s just a word or a name and I’m stuck. When that happens I talk to God about why I might be stuck there. What is He trying to teach me? Why is He keeping me here?
(It’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to keep a prayer journal.)
Step 3:
I almost always like to find one or more verses that correspond with my prayer. I do this to make sure that there is Biblical truth in what I wrote—kind of like a way to check myself.
You Can’t be Stopped
Do not let fear or doubt stop you from this awesome form of worship. Fear that you’ll do it all wrong or doubt that it will even work.
That is the enemy talking–he doesn’t want to see you magnify the Father and marvel at God’s glory through your writing.
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
(Proverbs 3:3)
If you’re just starting out or you’re feeling stuck or uninspired–check out my list of prompts for your first 30 days of prayer journaling. Oh and I also have a list of 10 things you can track in your prayer journal. If you’re wondering what some of my favorite prayer journal tools are–check out this post!
Change Your Prayer Life TODAY–Join the 21 Day Prayer Journal Challenge!!
Deborah Bailey says
October 9, 2016 at 8:24 pmI am so grateful to have stumbled upon starting a prayer journal. Sometimes I make things harder than they should be. I am going to start a prayer journal following your lead! Thank you and God bless!
Ally says
October 10, 2016 at 9:37 amI’m so excited for you! Thanks for your sweet words.
Keep me posted on your progress, friend!
christina says
April 30, 2017 at 10:12 pmi have been searching for something like your page i really appreciate it
Ally says
May 3, 2017 at 6:47 pmSo glad we found each other! 🙂 Welcome!
Gwenna Rowe says
November 10, 2016 at 8:58 pmMay God Bless You!! I’m so grateful for this I never thought I could journal but after this I on my path to a greater relationship with God and being able to hear him clear. Thank You
Ally says
November 11, 2016 at 12:45 amOh my goodness–this is awesome news!
Praise God that He’s giving you clarity and that you’re hearing him.
Happy for you!!
Linda says
November 17, 2016 at 12:49 amThank you, I love your ideas.. God Bless you
Elinda beal says
November 22, 2016 at 9:17 pmI love this so much I always wanted to learn how to make me a prayer journal thank you so much how to start me a prayer journal god bless you and your family always and forever.
Brittany says
January 6, 2017 at 7:13 amThese are good. I’ve started and stopped prayer journals in many occasions. This can definitely guide my journaling going forward. Happy New Year!
Natalie @ Milk & Honey Faith says
May 18, 2017 at 3:02 pmWhat an awesome way to making your prayers intentional. I too keep a prayer journal and this has inspired me to adopt some of these practices as my own. Thank you for sharing at Salt & Light Linkup!
Anber says
June 1, 2017 at 12:22 pmIt is encouraged for people to be baptized I think that is a form of misinformation that you should research. Outside of that, great arricle
Ally says
June 1, 2017 at 8:04 pmYes…being baptized is the ultimate goal. However, baptism isn’t a requirement for talking with God through prayer.
florida says
October 16, 2017 at 6:46 amI needed a sign and I got one here. Every time I procrastinate abput something like this I just end up waving it aside.. so its called a prayer journal. Am glad I know now and I have started my journal right away. Thanks so much
Ally says
October 16, 2017 at 9:34 amSo glad the Lord brought you here today! I pray that more truth will be revealed to you as you begin your prayer journal journey.
Blessings, friend!
Cindy says
January 23, 2018 at 5:55 amThank you very much Ally, i really needed this. May God bless you so much
Monette says
October 9, 2018 at 7:39 amI too get distracted when I pray and it’s hard to focus sometimes. I want my prayer time just for the Lord and not be bombarded with vain stuff! So, I decided to writing down my prayers and what a blessing it was to see your thoughts about him on paper and the fact that I am writing to my God, the creator who thinks of me before the world began.. I love it and I have been consistent in doing so. I am definitely sharing this experience to the ladies in my Sunday school class. Then, I saw your post today and I am so glad and it encourages my heart bountifully.:)
Maria says
October 19, 2018 at 7:59 amHooola ! from Spain !, I really appreciate your posting and I am ready to start my prayer journal.
I may have some questions … could I contact you about it. ?
Nici says
February 26, 2019 at 9:25 pmPost is great- but I LOVE your bun! How do you do it?