You realized that prayer journaling is becoming popular so you decided to buy a journal so you could start writing. But the pages are still blank because you don’t know what to write. Or maybe you made 1 or 2 entries and now you’re stuck. Well, in this article, I am sharing with you some tips and prayer journal prompts to help you fill the pages and grow your relationship with God.
What is a Prayer Journal?
A prayer journal is a written record of prayers or conversations with God.
You can use a simple notebook or something fancy to keep a record of your prayers. So it could be something like a Mead composition hardcover notebook or you can even purchase a journal specifically designed for prayer journaling.
You can even keep a digital journal by downloading an app or just using a Microsoft Word Document.
What are the Benefits of Prayer Journaling?
Here are some of the benefits of writing down your prayers.
1) You will have a written record of prayers that you can review at anytime
One of the main benefits of prayer journaling is that you have a written record of your prayers so you can review them many weeks or years later.
2) You will be more aware of answered prayers
Sometimes you may pray about something and you forget that you even spoke to the Lord about it. If you keep a record of your prayers and read them periodically, you will realize that they have been answered.
3) It helps you to remember what God has revealed to you
Sometimes, God gives you direction, wisdom or a promise when you spend time in His presence. You may think that you will remember the revelation forever but as human beings, we forget things.
So it is a great idea to write these things down so you can look back at them. This will help you to remember what the Lord has spoken to you even if it’s several months or years later.
Related Article: How to Use the SOAP Method for Bible Study
What Should You Write in Your Prayer Journal
Your prayer journal is a record of your conversations with God and your experiences with Him. So you can write anything that is related to your relationship with God.
You can write prayers of thanksgiving, praise and petition in your journal.
You can also use your journal to write what the Lord is revealing to you. It’s a good practice to stop and listen after you have prayed. You can also use it to record prophetic words that are spoken over your life or prophetic dreams from the Lord.
Remember prayer is about talking to God and developing your relationship with Him. So you can write prayers about anything that is on your mind and tell God how you’re feeling. He wants you to share your happy and sad moments with Him and everything in between.
Here is a summary of what you can write in your prayer journal
- Prayers of praise and adoration
- Prayers of thanksgiving
- Prayers of confession
- Prayers of petition or supplication (requests)
- Prophetic word
- Prophetic dreams
- Answered prayers
- Times when God showed up unexpectedly
If you still don’t know what to write in your prayer journal or if you just want some extra ideas, you can also use prompts. Here are 21 prayer journal prompts to help you have a closer relationship with God and develop a habit of journaling.
21 Prayer Journal Prompts
1) Write a prayer thanking God for His provision and protection
Did you know that it’s God’s will for us to give thanks? That’s what the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. So take some time to write all the things you are grateful for and thank Him for His constant protection. Some of these things may be life, salvation, food, clothes, shelter, friends, family and clean air.
2) Write about your insecurities and ask God to help you overcome them
What are you insecure about? Write about it and ask God to help you to see the insecurity in a new light.
3) Talk to the Lord about your biggest dreams and desires
Close your eyes and think about what you really want your life to be like. What are your biggest dreams and desires? What’s the vision that you have for your life? Share your vision and goals with the Lord and ask Him to guide you and help you make them become a reality.
4) Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to share the gospel
The gospel is the good news that Jesus saves us from the wages of sin which is death. And He gives eternal life to all those who believe that Jesus died for their sins.
This is amazing news that will help others to experience the love, joy, peace and freedom in Jesus Christ. So ask the Lord to open doors of opportunity so you can share the gospel with those who don’t know the gospel. This may be a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbour or stranger.
5) Ask the Lord what He wants you to do
This prayer journal prompt will require you to sit and listen to what the Lord has to say. Then you can journal as the Lord reveals His will to you. Just write even if you’re not sure if it’s your thoughts or the Lord’s revelation.
6) Thank the Lord for a specific prayer that He answered
Did you pray for something specific and then realized that the Lord answered your prayer? Take some time to give Him thanks for the answered prayer.
7) Look back at your life and thank the Lord for all the ways he has been leading and guiding you
Take some time to look back at your life. Think about your years at school and your time as an adult. You will realize that the Lord has been there the whole time and He has been leading and guiding you.
8) Ask the Lord what’s your purpose
Do you know what your purpose is? Ask the Lord to reveal it to you and just start writing what comes to mind. This prayer journal prompt will also require you to listen to what God is saying to you. Take a leap of faith and just write what you believe that the Lord is saying.
9) Journal about one of your weaknesses and ask God to help you
Which character traits do you need to work on? Think about it and ask the Lord to help you improve. Are you kind, patient, disciplined, honest, forgiving, loving and loyal?
10) Pray the Scripture over your life
You can use the Word of God to help you pray. You can thank the Lord for His promises written in Scripture.
Example of praying the Scripture using Psalm 46:1
I thank You, Lord that You’re my refuge and my strength. I thank You that I am safe in You and that You’re always ready to help me no matter where I am or what I have done. Help me to remember that I can always call on You.
11) Pray for your family and friends
You can use your journal to record prayers for your friends and family members.
12) Journal about something you have been procrastinating on
What assignment, project or task have you been putting off repeatedly? Take some time to think about it and dig deep into why you’re procrastinating. Ask the Lord to give you insight and to help you overcome.
13) Pray about your biggest fear and ask the Lord to help you overcome it
What is something that you are afraid of? Write a prayer telling the Lord what you’re afraid of and why. Then ask Him to help you walk in faith instead of fear. Ask Him to expose the lies of the enemy.
14) Thank the Lord for the difference He has made in your life
What difference has the Lord made in your life? Stop and think about what your life was like before and what it’s like now since you have a relationship with Him.
15) Ask the Lord for His guidance for your next assignment or project
Do you have a work task, an assignment or a project to work on? Ask the Lord to guide and help you to successfully complete it. This may something that is related to your job, business, church or ministry.
16) Pray about something that is making you frustrated or upset
You can share all your emotions with the Lord. You can talk to Him about the things that make you happy, sad, frustrated or upset. Use this time to pray about something that is making you upset or frustrated.
17) Write a prayer for your community
Have you ever prayed for your community? Thank the Lord for your community and pray about the things that need to be addressed.
18) Pray for the Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith
If you’re living in the Western Hemisphere, you may not be familiar with persecution. But there are several Christians who face persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Take some time to pray for them and ask the Lord to strengthen and protect them.
19) Journal about someone you need to forgive
Is there someone that you need to forgive? Tell the Lord why it is difficult to forgive that person and ask Him for the grace to forgive him/her.
20) Ask the Lord to show you the gifts, talents and abilities that He has blessed you with
Do you know how the Lord has gifted you? Sit in silence and let Him reveal to you the hidden treasure you have been overlooking.
21) Write a love letter to God
Take some time to just express your love and gratitude to your Father. Write as much or as little as you like. There are no rules. Just write from the heart.
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Takeaway
Prayer journaling is a great way to keep a written record of your conversations with God. You can start today with a simple notebook or a fancy journal.
Remember to listen to what God has to say and rejoice with thanksgiving as He answers your prayers.
If you want to spend more time with God, make sure you check out this video for some ideas.