What is a prayer journal?
The content of a prayer journal may vary significantly from one person to another. For some, it is like a diary in which they document their personal time with God. It might contain a revelation of something that God spoke to them or it might list action items that they want to take as a result of talking with the Father. For others, it is a place to keep track of prayer requests and answers to those petitions. And yet others use a prayer journal as a way to organize items such as Bible study and sermon notes, daily faith confessions, key Bible verses, encouraging quotes or messages, prayer requests, praise reports, books to read, favorite Christian blogs and websites, etc. If you are familiar with the SOAR technique of studying the Bible, a prayer journal is a great place to keep those notes. Regardless of how you choose to use it, the main goal is to make it personal and useful in your journey with God.
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How do people organize and track all of these items?
From what I’ve observed, it appears that most people either use binders or notebooks.
Is there a right or wrong way to make a prayer journal?
Rest assured that there are no rules in making a prayer journal. It's whatever you and God want it to be! :-)
If you could suggest one thing, what would it be?
I would strongly suggest making sure you design it in a way that it is manageable and maintainable going forward. If it gets too big or out of control, you are less likely to follow through and use it. This should include making sure it fits your learning method and daily lifestyle. For example, while you may prefer the look of printed note pages, would you use it more if you could just hand write your thoughts on a lined sheet of paper?
Where should I start?
Take some time to think about how you want to use this tool. But don't worry! You aren't locked into your decision forever. A prayer journal is a working tool that can morph and evolve into whatever you need it to be at that point in your life.
Think about sections. Decide what info you’d like to include. Examples include but are definitely not limited to:
-Bible Study and SOAR Notes
-Daily Faith Confessions
-Prayer Requests and Praise Reports
-Key Bible Verses
-Word Studies and Topical Searches
-Notes from Personal Devotions
-Sermon Notes
-Books to Read
-Favorite Websites and Blogs
-Inspiring Quotes
-Miscellaneous
Keep in mind...If you make too many sections, it may be difficult to remember where things are located and it could take longer to file stuff. For example, my husband likes to create separate folders for every type of bill. (e.g. gas company, electric company, phone, water). For me, I prefer one folder called “Utilities.” I rarely need to go back and pull those files so why spend time filing them in different folders? Neither way is right or wrong. Just different perspectives.
Where do I find supplies?
I can't remember the verse offhand, but I know the Bible tells us that God delights in our happiness. This includes the little stuff like having fun while you create your prayer journal. Make your journal reflect your personality and style. Don't settle for a bland binder and stark white loose leaf papers. Have fun with colors and designs. You can brighten up the pages by using scrap booking paper or decorative stationery. You can also use different color highlighters and pens to make the text come alive or bright section dividers for binders. The more personalized you make it, the more likely you will continue to use it.
One of my favorite finds was a rare website that has thousands of super cute binders and notebooks to fit all styles and tastes…AND you can customize them! So you could have one notebook labeled Bible Study Notes and another one that says Prayer Requests. Binders can be personalized as well. These options are so much better than what you find in stores. Click here to see my favorites or pick your own!
What do I next?
So you decided on the structure, you have your supplies and now you are staring at a blank binder. The Bible tells us to write out our vision and keep it before our eyes therefore I would start by writing out your prayer requests and the Bible verses that you are standing on. Every day, thank God for the manifestation of that request and confess the Bible verses. (Click here for examples of how to confess Bible verses.) Be sure to celebrate small victories on the way and write down the dates when you see these victories. Refer back to the list often as this is a great faith builder.
Next, I would probably make a list of the key Bible verses that I want to keep before my eyes. Consider looking them up in different Bible translations as this sometimes helps bring a better understanding. Write out the entire verse as this is a way that your mind will further digest and process the content. (Click here to see example verses by topic.) Reading a verse once isn't enough to build faith and change our life. We must meditate on them. Mull them over, again and again. Having them written out makes it easy to quickly pull them out and review.
I would also write out my daily confessions. Our words have power therefore it is important that we speak the Word often. (Click here for examples of how to write daily confessions.)
Final Thoughts...
I made some basic forms that might be helpful as you get started. Click here to view and download for free. I was also thinking of creating a starter packet with pre-populated pages. Would be curious to get your feedback as to whether you think this would be helpful. Please feel free to email or use the contact form.
Lastly...Please keep in mind that this will be a journal of your journey with God and will grow and evolve over time. Have fun with it. Don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. Enjoy spending time in the Word and developing your relationship with God! :-)
PS - Be sure to stop back and share your praise reports!!!
From what I’ve observed, it appears that most people either use binders or notebooks.
Is there a right or wrong way to make a prayer journal?
Rest assured that there are no rules in making a prayer journal. It's whatever you and God want it to be! :-)
If you could suggest one thing, what would it be?
I would strongly suggest making sure you design it in a way that it is manageable and maintainable going forward. If it gets too big or out of control, you are less likely to follow through and use it. This should include making sure it fits your learning method and daily lifestyle. For example, while you may prefer the look of printed note pages, would you use it more if you could just hand write your thoughts on a lined sheet of paper?
Where should I start?
Take some time to think about how you want to use this tool. But don't worry! You aren't locked into your decision forever. A prayer journal is a working tool that can morph and evolve into whatever you need it to be at that point in your life.
- Do you want one binder/notebook for info that you use daily and a separate binder/notebook for longer term stuff?
- Do you want a standard size binder/notebook or a smaller version? What is easier for you to write in and use?
- Do you travel often where size would be a factor?
- Do you want to take this to church or Bible study with you?
- Would you want a notebook for prayer requests and praise report and then use a binder for other items?
- Do you prefer to print everything (therefore a binder would work well) or do you like to write things out (whereas a notebook would be preferred)? Or would it be most convenient (and economical) to put blank lined paper in a binder that way you can pull them out and put them back in?
Think about sections. Decide what info you’d like to include. Examples include but are definitely not limited to:
-Bible Study and SOAR Notes
-Daily Faith Confessions
-Prayer Requests and Praise Reports
-Key Bible Verses
-Word Studies and Topical Searches
-Notes from Personal Devotions
-Sermon Notes
-Books to Read
-Favorite Websites and Blogs
-Inspiring Quotes
-Miscellaneous
Keep in mind...If you make too many sections, it may be difficult to remember where things are located and it could take longer to file stuff. For example, my husband likes to create separate folders for every type of bill. (e.g. gas company, electric company, phone, water). For me, I prefer one folder called “Utilities.” I rarely need to go back and pull those files so why spend time filing them in different folders? Neither way is right or wrong. Just different perspectives.
Where do I find supplies?
I can't remember the verse offhand, but I know the Bible tells us that God delights in our happiness. This includes the little stuff like having fun while you create your prayer journal. Make your journal reflect your personality and style. Don't settle for a bland binder and stark white loose leaf papers. Have fun with colors and designs. You can brighten up the pages by using scrap booking paper or decorative stationery. You can also use different color highlighters and pens to make the text come alive or bright section dividers for binders. The more personalized you make it, the more likely you will continue to use it.
One of my favorite finds was a rare website that has thousands of super cute binders and notebooks to fit all styles and tastes…AND you can customize them! So you could have one notebook labeled Bible Study Notes and another one that says Prayer Requests. Binders can be personalized as well. These options are so much better than what you find in stores. Click here to see my favorites or pick your own!
What do I next?
So you decided on the structure, you have your supplies and now you are staring at a blank binder. The Bible tells us to write out our vision and keep it before our eyes therefore I would start by writing out your prayer requests and the Bible verses that you are standing on. Every day, thank God for the manifestation of that request and confess the Bible verses. (Click here for examples of how to confess Bible verses.) Be sure to celebrate small victories on the way and write down the dates when you see these victories. Refer back to the list often as this is a great faith builder.
Next, I would probably make a list of the key Bible verses that I want to keep before my eyes. Consider looking them up in different Bible translations as this sometimes helps bring a better understanding. Write out the entire verse as this is a way that your mind will further digest and process the content. (Click here to see example verses by topic.) Reading a verse once isn't enough to build faith and change our life. We must meditate on them. Mull them over, again and again. Having them written out makes it easy to quickly pull them out and review.
I would also write out my daily confessions. Our words have power therefore it is important that we speak the Word often. (Click here for examples of how to write daily confessions.)
Final Thoughts...
I made some basic forms that might be helpful as you get started. Click here to view and download for free. I was also thinking of creating a starter packet with pre-populated pages. Would be curious to get your feedback as to whether you think this would be helpful. Please feel free to email or use the contact form.
Lastly...Please keep in mind that this will be a journal of your journey with God and will grow and evolve over time. Have fun with it. Don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. Enjoy spending time in the Word and developing your relationship with God! :-)
PS - Be sure to stop back and share your praise reports!!!