About five years ago my prayer life was changed. I mean radically changed. I’ve always read books about men and women who had thriving prayer lives. These wonderful people would report a closeness with God that, to be honest, baffled my belief. I began to ask, ‘How could I have that kind of prayer life?’

There were so many mornings I would get up early, before work, and try and pray. I would fall asleep, get distracted, or simply get involved in preparing for work that I would remember three hours into my shift that I had failed to pray. I was frustrated at my own lack of self-discipline and my weaknesses.

Then my lovely wife offered a simple suggestion that would transform my prayer life, ‘Why don’t you journal your prayers?’

How do you journal prayers? If you are of a crafty bent, check out Sparkles of Sunshine.

Journal my prayers? Journal? I admit, I was incredibly doubtful. I grew up in a church where long prayers were seen as spiritual prayers. Added to that the over usages of ‘God’, ‘Father God’, and ‘Lord’ and you had the right formula for a good prayer. But Journaling? How would that even work?

Regardless of my doubts, I went out and purchased a small journal. I am of an aesthetic bent, so I wanted a rustic, older

A journal and pencil. I use a pen, but this gives you an idea of what I use.

looking journal. It was a brown, faux leather journal of about 180 pages.

And then I started. It was weird at first. Instead of speaking verbally to God I was writing to God. What do I write? Is God going to read my prayers? In my mind, however, I was speaking to God. The pen and paper were simply a means to help focus my thoughts.

I cannot overestimate how helpful prayer Journaling has been.

Almost over morning (I pray in the mornings!) my prayer life changed. I was amazed! After years of being a Christian, years of failing, I had finally found a perfect avenue for speaking to our Father. The longer journal my prayers, the more beautiful it becomes.

What has helped your prayer life? Have you ever journaled your prayers? I’d love to hear about it!
Also, be on the look out for my thoughts on the benefits of prayer Journaling!

Brandon Adams replied with a great thought, “Journal entries become altars to God’s faithfulness in our lives.” In addition, Brandon has some great helps on prayer. Check him out!

10 thoughts on “How Journaling Transformed My Prayer Life”

  1. I love this, Bobby! I have journaled for years, and even journaled my prayers, but I struggle with consistency. Praying the same prayers over and over, praying the same way all the time, after awhile it starts to feel like rote, so I find myself changing things up. I’m not sure whether this is good or bad, but your article here has rekindled my desire to journal. It helped me remember how often I felt God speaking to me as I wrote. Not to mention, there’s some kind of emotional connection for me with pen and paper. Thanks for sharing, Bobby. I pray all is well with you and your beautiful family. 😊

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    1. Thank you! Yes, I have struggled with the same problem of simply saying the same prayers (though they were not consistent). Journaling helped me have a conversation, so to speak. I hope that your desire turns out to be good, and that your walk with God becomes more real and sweet!

      We are doing well. Thank you! Praying for you guys as well.

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  3. Pingback: Why Should I journal my prayers? Benefits of Prayer Journaling  | The Library Musings

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