Prayer Journals

1twelve2 · 11-12-2003, 11:00 PM

I've been keeping prayer journals for about 2 years now, and I have found them quite helpful. The physical act of writing is so empowering and liberating. Since writing is a physical act, you're left with your ink on your paper. It's all there in your mark (I never said it had to even be neatly written)...

For me, prayer journals have provided me with a way to actually sit down and talk to God without doozing off or worrying so much that I loose focus. [As horrible as that may sound, that's what happens to me a lot, since I'm so tired all the time] Writing forces me to focus on my conversation with God.

So I think for those of us who don't do too well with verbally talking to God, writing in a prayer journal is worth a shot. There are also unique benefits: The physicality of it allows you to go back later and READ what you wrote...you'll be amazed/amused/embarassed. It's an amazing tool/gift that God's given to us - writing - salvation for the scattered-brained.

I just finished a journal...I want to share with you the lessons I've learned, going back through the pages of the past 8 months.

Crushes/Infatuations (along with emotions) FADE AWAY...hormones just make things more complicated.
Patience - relying upon God's timing - pays off BIG TIME.
God never leaves
God is always at work
God sends us people to show his grace and to teach us important lessons
I always have more to learn; complacency only shows my ignorance of this fact.

HAB. 2:
2 Then the LORD replied:

"Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald [1] may run with it. "

guitarplayer1 · 11-28-2003, 08:47 PM

I agree i have one also and its is cool to see God answer your prayers

sarahfitz · 11-29-2003, 03:38 PM

I have kept a prayer journal for about 5 years now, and it has sure helped, like you said, to talk to God and not start to doze off, and stuff. I get mixed feelings when I look back in my journals, but the major thing I feel is embarassment from some of the stuff that I've written. But looking back at it I get to see how far I've come in my walk with the Lord.

It was awesome to read what God has been teaching you. Thanks for sharing.
In His Love,
Sarah

pompernikkle · 11-30-2003, 03:43 PM

I was talking to my mentor and I asked her about writing things down as prayer, like writing letters to God (I used to do that, especially in the boring classes!) or it just came up in conversation, and she said that it's not a bad thing to do, but we also need to speak to Him. I'm not against the prayer journals, I would actually like to start one, but I just want to know your thought on this. Do you guys still speak to God? Like, I mean like you would to a close friend.

1twelve2 · 12-04-2003, 08:45 AM

I definately still speak (verbally) to God. journals for me are more a reflective thing that I try to use as a tool to keep myself from falling into the same mistakes.

Thespia · 12-05-2003, 10:46 AM

I want to do one of these. I think that for sure you still speak to God. Its just a way of deepening your time with God. You are communicating with Him in 2 ways instead of 1. It can really cement your thoughts, and when you write down truth (like saying truth) it confirms that truth to you (the point of memorizing scripture). Thats essential for your Christian walk and its something I need to start doing.

Drill · 12-05-2003, 03:54 PM

Yes, I recently started one and it's awesome to look back over the past months and see how God answers prayer. Sometimes how I want, others not. But, it is an awesome thing to write out letters to God. I think that helps very much. Write whatever comes to mind that you wanna tell God. I also think it's important to be talking to God like you would a friend. Thanks for sharing everyone

hockeydad · 12-15-2003, 12:56 PM

I have kept prayer journals off and on for some time. It helps me to stay focused. It helps me to keep track to those who need prayer but I have to force myself to keep it up to date...like writing down the praise when the prayer is answered.

I also log some scripture quotes from my Bible reading of the day or quotes from some other book that I am reading.

I wish I could say I was as faithful at it as I would like to be...

hockeydad · 12-16-2003, 11:52 AM

Interestingly, after what I said yesterday...

Last night I couldn't sleep because of numerous aches and pains of having played basketball most of the evening. Instead of getting up to read, I prayed for over an hour in the dark. No journal.

I don't remember the the last time I was so focused.

I spent a lot of time in thanksgiving and then people came to mind that I prayed for.

I wish more of my time with God was like that.

pompernikkle · 12-18-2003, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeydad

Interestingly, after what I said yesterday...

Last night I couldn't sleep because of numerous aches and pains of having played basketball most of the evening. Instead of getting up to read, I prayed for over an hour in the dark. No journal.

I don't remember the the last time I was so focused.

I spent a lot of time in thanksgiving and then people came to mind that I prayed for.

I wish more of my time with God was like that.

that's always awesome. I wish I had more time like that too. You know, lately, I seem to be waiting for something with my time with God. Like, I was thinking about it last night and I felt like I was waiting for me to get a journal to write prayers down in. I do this often. I don't know why I do it. hmm... *sigh* thanks guys