I want to be that woman⏤the one who swirls her colored pencils, creating a design befitting a beautiful prayer journal.
But I’m not.
Instead, I buy pencils and markers in an array of colors, along with hand-lettering books, to feel like the woman who does such things. Truth is, I buy a fetching three-ring binder from Target, a pack of College-ruled notebook paper, and new for 2019⏤a pack of LePens. (Hey, if I can’t create a design, I can at least write in fabulous colors.)
Years ago, I searched for crisply lined journals with lovely covers to write poetry, but creativity clutched my brain like a toddler to a mother’s leg, refusing to let loose. Don’t write a word on that gilded line until you have the perfect word. Needless to say, few poems made their way to the pages. But somewhere along the way, I started using plain ol’ notebooks to record my poetic thoughts. It’s a mental game, of course, teasing the brain that it’s okay to write away because it’s a throwaway notebook.
For me, it’s the same with prayer journals.
God isn’t expecting or seeking perfection in the words poured out onto the page. He’s not moved by the handwriting, but rather, the heart that is writing. When I use a three-ring binder stocked with loose-leaf paper and four tabs, I feel free to write, cross out words, jot down scripture references, and scribble sideways when necessary.
In the past, I’ve journaled prayers using My Prayer Partner Notebook by Becky Tirabassi, fancified journals with life-giving words on the cover, and five-subject notebooks. But one small important distinction between using journals/notebooks and three-ring binders/loose-leaf paper is the ability to add loose paper to specific sections, as needed.
Sections, you say. Why, yes.
On one sheet of loose-leaf paper, at the front of the binder, I create a cover page that lists specific needs I can pray over each day of the week.
- Sunday – our church, pastors
- Monday – our children, grandchildren, and family
- Tuesday – Hope*Writer and Facebook requests
- Wednesday – our small group
- Thursday – missions
- Friday – the lost
- Saturday – fellow writers and their work
After the cover page, I have tabs that vary in subject at times, but these are the standard four:
First Section :: Adoration
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name…” Psalm 29:2
I see this different from a time of praise. It’s a specific space to declare my awe and wonder of God — who He is, not what He does for me in specific situations. I read through a Psalm, choose one specific characteristic and write out the verse. Sometimes that’s the only thing written. When I allow myself to meditate on this truth of who God is, it becomes more about being (still) and less about doing.
Second Section :: Thanksgiving
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
Because focusing on God’s characteristics can’t help but lead to a grateful heart, it’s here I write the ways I’m thankful for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It’s also the place I record the specific why behind the gratitude, helping to take it the gratefulness to a deeper, more personal level.
Third Section :: Search and Find
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23, 24 NIV
It’s here I pause and ask God to search my heart, confident there are sins and struggles I simply don’t see. I usually write them down, but sometimes I don’t, refusing to be legalistic about my time with God. The main point is to have a searchable heart that results in confession, cleansing, and sweet restoration.
Fourth Section :: Intercession
“Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open.” Ephesians 6:18 The Message
I like to divide this section into two: one for friends struggling with long-term issues like sickness, ongoing marriage or children issues. The other, for short-term requests. Pocket Prayers are also used for both when I’m in a pinch for time. Not sure what those are? I share more in the post How to Pocket Your Prayers.
Quick Tips:
- Date your entries. You’ll appreciate pinpointing the date of original prayers and praises in the future.
- I address entries to my heavenly Father. People have shared how this one point often trips them up in prayer journaling — not knowing how to direct their prayers on paper. Again, it’s not about the paper, but the heart.
- Leave ample space beside requests for praise and answers to prayer. Pray expectantly!
- Recording God’s answers to prayer will not only heighten appreciation, but it will also serve as a journal of God’s faithfulness for future generations.
- There may be times when you need to write something so personal that the thought of anyone reading it tempts you not to record it. Go ahead, write it⏤get it out⏤on a separate sheet of loose paper in your binder, pray through it, and then throw it away.
Oh my, how I’d love to say I journal every day, but I don’t. On those days I miss, I rest in knowing that my prayers⏤my connection with God⏤isn’t limited to ink that flows onto man-made pages. Our prayers go wherever we go.
Journaling is simply a tool to slow us down and focus, helping us to become more intentional about prayer in a world that wants us to be anything but.
So, how about you? Do you journal your prayers? If so, what type of book do you use? If not, is this something you will consider doing in 2019?
I’m loving my new LePens so much (thank you Amazon Lightning Deal) that I’d like to give away a three-pack in celebration of journaling our prayers in 2019. Simply answer the question above (or just pop in and say hello) to be entered in the giveaway. The winner will be randomly selected via miniwebtool.com on Saturday, January 5th.
Thank you for joining me on this *tiny* journey in 2018. Lord willing, this new year will see a completed Tiny House on the Hill, a small space that I pray will magnify our great God for years to come.
Blessings to you and yours in 2019!
Becky Tirabassi, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read that name. The start of my journaling many years ago. I journal daily in plain notebooks. I write the joys, the struggles, scripture, prayers, gratitude etc.i keep them and pray they will bless my grandchildren in the future. The New Year approaches, new beginnings, new thoughts, new ideas and hopefully a new book from you. Blessings upon you Cathy and your family..
I love that we have Becky, the love of journaling, and the desire to bless our grandchildren through words in common, Elaine. Praying God will bless you in beautiful and unexpected ways this year!
And yes, Lord willing, you’ll see a new book from me! 🙂
Hi Cathy,
I’ve kept a prayer journal for years, but I never thought to organize it! What a wonderful idea! I may have to give it a whirl. But perhaps there’s a way to incorporate it into my bullet journal that I started for 2019, for more intentional prayer. Thanks for the idea.
Love and Blessings,
Laurie Epps
That’s a great idea, Laurie! Keep me posted on how it works. Blessings to you in 2019!
Wonderful tips, Cathy! I love your sections and prayers for days of the week! Thank you.
Thank you, Karen. 🙂 I pray your 2019 is filled with much grace and love. Hope to see you at Blue Ridge in May!
Like you, I use a basic Dollar Store notebook. Mine is spiral bound though so I can’t add pages.
I journal most days while I eat my breakfast. I copy the day’s verse, read my entry from the day before, and then seek the Lord as I ponder the new verse. I tend to cover topics from my concordance, and the current one if grace. Thanks for asking. *teehee <3
I love this, Sandra. I think having a routine is helpful. And I still keep a purple basic notebook handy when poetry strikes. Blessings to you in 2019, my friend!
I love the scriptural divisions. Praise first, followed by thanksgiving, self-reflection, and intercession. I haven’t maintained a prayer journal, but you have inspired me. It will bring more discipline to my time with God
Thanks for sharing, Kathy. I’m thankful you found the tips helpful. Praying God uses your prayer journal to draw you closer to Him in 2019. To God be the glory! Blessings to you in this new year, my friend.
I’ve not kept up with my journaling the last few years like I should. I would like to do better in 2019.
Thanks for all your neat ideas.
Thanks for sharing, Wanda. I’m praying the Lord will bless your desire to draw closer to Him through journaling. Hope you’re recuperating well. Blessings in 2019!!
I sure needed this today, Cathy! I journaled my prayers years ago and it was very meaningful. James and I pray together each night and it seems like we try to cover it all. We also miss a lot and I’ve been feeling that frustration. So, this was just what I needed to help us in our couple prayer time. I may also go back and start journaling again for concerns of friends that he doesn’t know. As always, blessed by your words, my friend!
How sweet! I do find that journaling helps me to remember requests that might unknowingly fall through the cracks of daily life. I know others will be blessed by your prayers because they’ve blessed me immensely. Your heart for others inspires me, Barbara. ((( HUGS ))) Blessings to you and James in 2019!
Such great ideas. When I first began writing, I used spiral notebooks by the dozens. They offer a world of freedom to our creativity, especially with words. No worries about it having to be just right. You should see my earliest efforts. What a mess! But I’ve kept every one. I love all of your ideas here. I’ll be putting many into my newer, not-as-messy journals.
I’m glad you found the ideas helpful, Debra. 🙂 I pray 2019 will be filled with God’s richest blessings for you and yours. Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings!
Thanks for the great tips! I am doing a bible study in a couple of weeks called organizing your prayer closet, will use some your tips
That sounds like a great study, Kim. Glad you found the tips helpful. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you and your family in 2019!
I’m not alone! I love journals and journaling. I have colored markers, washi tape, lettering pens, stickers, tabs, and more. I confess, I’m addicted. When I get a new Bible I have to copy all my dated notes, prayers, and praises. It brings a deeper intimacy to my relationship with the Lord. Thank you for sharing, your openness, your encouragement. Blessings!
You go, Jan! You, along with others in Soulful Ink, inspire me. 🙂 Blessings to you and yours in 2019. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Your words are always a blessing.
I’ve never kept a real prayer journal before – now I want to run to the Dollar Tree, find some notebooks and get started! I love the idea. It would help me “organize” better so I don’t leave out any prayer requests. Thanks, Cathy! (Wonderful post!!)
Let me know how it goes, Connie! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. Blessings to you in 2019!
I haven’t really kept a prayer journal before, but I really like the idea! Thank you for sharing how yours is set up. It helps to hear how others structure their prayer journals.
I’m so glad you found it helpful. If you start a prayer journal, don’t hesitate to shoot me any questions along the way, and I’d love to hear how it’s working for you. Blessings in 2019! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Oh Cathy! I still have my Becky Tirabassi prayer journal in my stack of notebooks 🙂
A few months ago I got out my journals that now span 35 years. Spending time reading them I was reacquainted with my youth and the prayers of my heart at that time. As the years went by and the pressures of life grew so did my prayer life. How sweet it has been to see God’s faithfulness and the many times He has met me on my knees.
Oh, I love this, Karen! Being able to recall God’s faithfulness in particular situations over the years is the truest blessing of journaling. Not only does it bless us, it will bless the generations to come as well. Thank you for sharing your story here — and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw that you were also a “Becky” fan. 🙂
Thank you for another book/journal you’ve written. Reminds me of my dairy in my young teen years when, being the middle child, only daughter, I seemed to always be a disappointment to my parents. Until they both passed away, I always did or said the right thing to make them happy. By writing in my diary every important issue I did for them,. good or bad, what I wrote eventually allowed me to be ME….at about age 40!
Looking forward to your new writings. Now I know why youre not in your Tiny House yet and your writings in the future will be from the finished project.
I praise the Lord for the freedom discovered by writing in your diary, Teresa. There’s power in our words, both spoken and written. I pray God will bless you richly in 2019. Thank you for always being an encouragement to me, and I’m sure, to many others. ((( HUGS )))
I may put this plan into action. Thank you for sharing
Thank you for taking the time to stop by, Cathy. Let me know if you do give this a try. I’d love to hear about it. 🙂 Blessings to you and your sweet family in 2019!
I used to journal my prayers, but haven’t recently. I love your thinking on using a binder and paper…though the sheets tend to tear. Thanks for sharing your organization!
Angie, this past time, I purchased paper with the reinforced holes to help with the tearing. We’ll see how it holds up. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. Happy 2019!!
Poo, I missed the giveaway deadline. Well, that’s something I need to work on this year: being timely with my follow ups. I don’t really keep a prayer journal. I start/stop/start again, rip out the pages a few months later for lack of consistency… This year I hope to make a habit. I just write them out in a journal. I like the idea of leaving room to write follow up praises. Thank you, Cathy. Great inspiration.
I think most of us start and stop…and start again…along the way. The key is to keep starting because the enemy would love us to beat ourselves up over a lack of follow-through and set it aside altogether. I love that you’re not giving up or giving in! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to share, Molly Jo. I’m working on that monthly gathering idea!
Great ideas Cathy. I often journal my prayers (it helps me keeps focused) but I’ve never had a specific plan for doing so. Later this month I get to present a break-out session at a conference where Becky Tirabassi is a key-note. I’m super-excited to meet her, and I might have to see if I can get my hands on a copy of her prayer journal.
Okay, I’m totally jealous, Kim. Ha! Congrats on the break-out session. No doubt you’ll bless everyone in attendance. Let me know how I can pray for you/future attendees. And yes, if you can find a copy, it’s worth every penny. Blessings, friend!