PRAYER JOURNALS: the what, why and how...
PRAYER JOURNALING – WHAT?
Prayer Journaling involves two main activities.
· The first is writing (or sticking) a portion of the Bible in the journal and focusing on it.
· The second is writing our prayers
There are jotters available to use as your prayer journal, but you can use anything: some people like to use notebooks, others fancy journals.
PRAYER JOURNALING – WHY?
Writing prayers helps in a number of ways:
· It helps us to concentrate and not get distracted; or when we are distracted to come back to where we were.
· It offers some structure to our praying and helps us order our thoughts
· It helps us remember the things we prayed about in the past and seeing the answers we receive.
Writing and using passages of the Bible helps us by:
· Reminding us who God is
· Reminding us who we are
· Helping us to know what to pray
The Bible is God’s word to us and it inspires us. Below are some scriptures you might want to use throughout the 14 Days of Prayer.
PRAYER JOURNALING – HOW?
The first thing to remember is that you should use your Prayer Journal in the way that works best for you. It is good if you make it a discipline, but that might mean using it daily, weekly or occasionally. The following is one way to use it, but try and learn different ways.
1. Find a place where you won’t be distracted. Some people need to be by themselves; others find it helpful to be where there are other people, such as a cafe or park.
2. Say a quick prayer asking God to help you.
3. Maybe take a few minutes to quiten your mind
4. Write or stick a portion of the bible into you journal. Read it through two or three times. You don’t have to read it all. Does a word or phrase jump out at you. When you feel your heart lifting and your head clearing, get on an pray.
5. Write down the thoughts that come to you.
· What does this passage remind you about God?
· How would you like to praise him?
· Is there anything you want to thank him for?
· How does it relate to things that are going on in your life?
· Is there anything you need to say sorry for
6. Now spend time bringing before God the things that are on your mind. Sometimes it helps to write a letter to God. Some people like to write a list of requests and needs. Some people like to jot down notes.
7. Don't forget to look back over your journal to see if there is a pattern to your prayers or thoughts and to give thanks to God for answered prayer.
1. Hosea 10:12 5. Proverbs 2:1-8 9. Jeremiah 33:1-11
2. Matthew 9:35-38 6. Isaiah 54:1-3 10. 2 Corinthians 5:11-15
3. Genesis 12:1-9 7. Haggai 2:6-9 11. Song of Songs 2:10-14
4. Ephesians 6:10-18 8. Psalm 28:6-9
