How to Start a Life-Changing Prayer Journal This Year

Note: this post was originally published in January 2023, but has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

I love that you are curious about how to start a prayer journal. No matter your reason, I can assure you, it will be a life changing habit.

Is a Diary the Same as a Journal

No lie, I manifested my husband by way of a diary entry, over 8 years before we even started dating! Back in the day, when you wrote your thoughts in a notebook, it was called a diary. My husband and I have now been married for almost 10 years. Several years ago, I randomly found this diary entry and showed it to my husband. Needless to say, he was shocked! You can watch part of that story HERE.

It is true that most adults who write their thoughts in a notebook, no longer call it a diary. We got sophisticated and started calling it a journal. Over time, my journaling has evolved into more of a prayer journal with more of a spiritual focus.

What is a Prayer Journal

If you have no clue what a prayer journal is, It is simply a journal where you share your heart with God. Think of it as a journal that you want God to read. For some people, any type of praying feels awkward and you may not even know how to pray. Writing your prayers down is a very practical way to build up to praying aloud and strengthening your relationship with God.

Prayer journaling is very intentional and a great way to spend time with God. You literally make the decision to go grab your journal, get a pen, and sit down somewhere that you can focus. It doesn’t get much more intentional than that.

What if I Don’t Know How to Pray

That is ok! Even if you aren’t sure how to pray, I promise you a prayer journal will change your life!  It is a little different than trying to find the right words to say aloud. Journaling, in general, is very therapeutic. For me, it has become a great way to decompress when I am stressed out or have thoughts on my mind that I need to release. It is so comforting to quiet myself and talk to God through my writing. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to pray or write in your prayer journal.

What are the Benefits of Starting a Prayer Journal

If you are looking for ways to improve your prayer life in 2024, a prayer journal is a great thing to add to your daily routine. A prayer journal is especially great to add to your morning routine. You have likely heard the term “working document” to describe something that you are still working on and editing. A prayer journal is similar to that, but you can call it a living prayer. The things you write in your prayer journal are powerful. The words have life, even if you haven’t quite said them aloud.

The words you write in your prayer journal will encourage you and grow you just the same as every spoken word can do.

You will be able to look back and see how far you’ve come, edit or may changes when necessary, and see what prayers have been answered. That is one of the best parts about keeping a prayer journal.

10 Benefits of Starting a Prayer Journal?

Here are some key advantages to consider:

What are the Benefits of Starting a Prayer Journal?

Hey there, curious soul! So, you’re thinking about diving into the wonderful world of prayer journaling? That’s awesome! Let me tell you, there are so many perks to starting this life-changing habit. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love it:

1. Enhanced Spiritual Connection: Picture this: you, cozy with your journal, pouring your heart out to God. Writing down your prayers creates a beautiful bond with God. It’s like having a heart-to-heart chat with your best friend.
2. Clarity and Focus: Ever feel like your thoughts are all over the place? Yeah, I have been there, too. But when you jot down your prayers, something magical happens. It’s like your mind hits the refresh button, and suddenly, everything becomes clearer. You’ll know exactly what matters most to you, and that’s a game-changer.
3. Emotional Release: Life can be a rollercoaster of emotions, am I right? Well, your prayer journal is your safe haven. It’s where you can let it all out—stress, worries, fears, you name it. Trust me, getting those feelings onto paper? It’s like hitting the ‘release’ button on your stress levels.
4. Gratitude Cultivation: Starting each day with a gratitude list? It’s like sunshine for your soul. Seriously, it shifts your focus from what’s lacking to all the amazing things you already have. Even on the toughest days, finding those little nuggets of gratitude? It’s like finding treasures in the midst of chaos.
5. Reflection and Growth: Looking back on old entries is like flipping through the pages of your own growth journey. You’ll see how far you’ve come, notice patterns, and celebrate those ‘aha’ moments when prayers are answered. It’s like your own personal victory lap.
6. Increased Faith: When you see prayers being answered, it’s like a high-five from God. Your faith? It skyrockets. Suddenly, you’re like, “Hey, maybe there really is something to this whole faith thing!” Spoiler alert: there is!
7. Intentional Living: Ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? Well, not anymore! Prayer journaling nudges you to live life with intention. It’s like having a compass that points you towards your true north—your purpose.
8. Stress Reduction: Life’s crazy, right? But taking a moment to connect with God? It’s like hitting the pause button on the chaos. Your prayer journal becomes your zen zone—a place where stress melts away, and peace settles in.
9. Community and Support: Sharing your prayer journaling journey with others? It’s like having a squad of cheerleaders in your corner. Together, you lift each other up, offer support, and send out good vibes. It’s like having your own little prayer posse.
10. Empowerment and Resilience: Through prayer journaling, you become this unstoppable force. Challenges? Bring ’em on! With your faith as your shield and your journal as your sword, you’re ready to take on whatever life throws your way.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the wonderful world of prayer journaling and watch as your life transforms in the most beautiful ways. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

3 Things to Include in Your Prayer Journal

So, what does a prayer journal include? Here are the 3 components to include when you start your own prayer journal:

• Gratefulness: Start with listing 3 things for which you are grateful. Starting with a “grateful list” puts you in a positive mindset, even when you are feeling overwhelmed and like you are at the end of your rope. Try to list things that are specific to the day, rather than always listing the same thing each time (i.e. thankful for life, being healthy, my family, etc). I have listed things like “I am grateful my kids took a nap today” or I am grateful I got a new blog subscriber”.

 Listing things that are specific to the day forces you to find something positive in your day, even in the midst of a bad day. I admit that some days I have a hard time listing anything, but I force myself to keep thinking until I find something.

• Requests: Next, write out the things that are concerning you; things you are praying about. This should be whatever is on your heart. There is no such thing as something you should not pray about. You might need prayers for strength, prayer for finding a deal on something you need to buy, or prayer for healing. No matter the topic, if you want and need God to help you with it, write it down! God cares about every concern of yours.

• Release: Once you have written out your prayers, begin to just write. Write whatever comes to mind. It may be writing out how you feel about the things on your prayer list. It may be things you have dealt with during the day or your overall thoughts on something you’ve been going through. I have even read a scripture and then written about my thoughts on how that scripture applies to me.

Your entry might be short and sweet. It might be long and in-depth. Again, there are no rules, as this is your personal prayer journal.

Make Your Prayer Journal Part of Your Daily Routine

When you start your prayer journal, you are making one of the best decisions to invest in yourself. Commit to journaling as often as possible. If you want to ease into it, you can start with 2 or 3 times a week then work your way up to daily or as often as you need.

Other  Simple Tips for Starting a Prayer Journal

• Buy a journal that you love.
• Add a running list of prayers for other people in your life
• Have fun with it!
• Keep a list of positive affirmations
• Write down scriptures that speak to you that day
• Put it on your schedule if you want to be consistent with journaling
• Find an accountability partner to join your journaling journey

Your first prayer journal entry may feel odd, but I promise the more you do it the more you will get comfortable and feel the benefits. It will be well worth it!

Your Turn

Are you planning to start a prayer journal? Do you already have a prayer journal? Tell me your thoughts on the topic.

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