How To Keep A Prayer Journal
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. - Psalm 77:11
Today I want to talk to you about what I believe is one of the best things you can do when it comes to your prayer life, and that is to keep a prayer journal.
I started writing down my prayers during the summer before my senior year of high school, and I’ve been keeping a prayer journal ever since. I’ve written down prayers about anything and everything: friends, family, boys, basketball, work, money, etc. If it was on my heart, I wrote it down. And now after over ten years of writing down my prayers, it has been the biggest blessing to be able to go back through these journals and read about how God was working in my heart and to see how He answered the prayers I wrote down.
I have no doubt that one of the greatest ways for us to grow our faith is to be reminded of God’s past faithfulness in our lives. And a prayer journal is a tool to help you do just that. It’s a record of God’s faithfulness throughout each season and situation in your life, one that you can read back through any time you want to remember His deeds and His miracles past (Psalm 77:11).
If you’ve never kept a prayer journal before, my hope is that you will start one today. Your prayers don’t have to be long or eloquent. They can be short. They can be direct. And they can be about anything that’s on your heart right now. The important thing is that you’re talking to the Lord about what you’re going through and what you need help with - that you’re inviting Him into every aspect of your life through prayer.
If you need some help getting started with a prayer journal, I’ve listed out a few prompts/questions below to help. Happy writing :)
What is a recent unexpected blessing you want to thank God for?
Is there an unmet desire on your heart that you want to talk to the Lord about?
Do you have any questions you want to ask God right now?
Is there a decision you need to make soon that you need clarity and wisdom about?
Is there a sin you’ve committed that you need to ask forgiveness for and repent of?
Is there a friend or family member who’s struggling you want to pray for?
Have you been idolizing someone or something, causing your priorities to be out of order?
Is there a temptation you need to ask the Lord to help you to overcome?
Are you sensing the Lord leading you to do something or go somewhere, but you’re hesitant to say yes to His call?
Is there someone, whether someone you know or yourself, who needs healing that you want to pray for?