{"id":681,"date":"2019-10-01T22:46:27","date_gmt":"2019-10-01T21:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/?p=681"},"modified":"2019-10-02T20:42:37","modified_gmt":"2019-10-02T19:42:37","slug":"4-tips-on-how-to-start-a-prayer-journal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/4-tips-on-how-to-start-a-prayer-journal\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Tips on How to Start a Prayer Journal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Today I\u2019m going to be looking at prayer journals. I\u2019ve found them to be an amazing gift in my journey with God, and I wanted to share with you four ideas for them that I have found useful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pjmQxroiXYQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I have always prayed in this way, so my home is filled with\na variety of journals. I have kept them all as they are quite precious to me. There\nreally is no right or wrong way to begin a prayer journal. How each of us do this\nwill reflect our character, our Christian heritage and the season we are in. If\nI flick through the journals I kept before having a family they are much more\nordered, well set out and creative than say one I kept when my children were\nyoung! But whichever is your way, neat and structured or spontaneous and\ncreative, keeping a prayer journal can enrich and change your life on so many\nlevels, so I really encourage you to start one if you haven\u2019t yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have found that writing brings out two differing facets of my soul when I focus on prayer in this way. Firstly, there is room to be very real and vunerable because it&#8217;s a private a place. It\u2019s the sacred space between myself and God. It\u2019s also a place where I find wisdom and insight as the Holy Spirit leads me, or as I meditate on scripture or hear Gods voice or vision for a given situation. I\u2019ve found that writing my prayers down can help me to process experiences and sometimes unpack feelings. It can correct a wrong thinking pattern in me or reveal a new way to pray for a given situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So today I want to give you <strong>four ideas<\/strong> to help you keep your prayer journal with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The simplest way to begin is to <strong>search for a notebook that is personal to you. <\/strong>It may connect with your life circumstances, remind you of your hopes and dreams or have a colour or image that simply draws your attention. Place your journal somewhere where it will remind you to pray. Perhaps by your bedside or favourite chair? That\u2019s really important as it needs to be somewhere you can see it, so you don\u2019t forget to use it!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just simply open and write the words \u201cDear\nGod\u201d\u2026\u2026then see what pours out\u2026.if you are in a good place it might be thanks,\nor in a worried place an outpouring of thoughts. If you\u2019re in a busy place a\npetition for help and peace and if a burdened place a prayer for a loved one.\nDon\u2019t worry, it\u2019s personal, so relax! Then read it back over in your mind or\nout loud, then simply end with love from \u2026\u2026\u2026. I have often signed mine \u2018Grace\u2019,\nit\u2019s not my name but a pet name just between Abba Father and myself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The second suggestion I have is similar but a more varied form of this, for those of us that either like structure or freedom! In your chosen journal you may choose<strong> to develop a structure for yourself. <\/strong>A good way to do this is to begin by a meditation on scripture, then thanksgiving and lastly petition. (Petition is a bit of a religious word which simply means something that you are asking God for). <em>Meditating on scripture<\/em> gives space for God to speak to us. Here\u2019s a great one:-<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBe still and know that I am God\u201d (Psalm\n46:10). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a simple verse but also very\nprofound. It really helps me to connect with God.&nbsp; Then, let your heart move to <em>gratitude<\/em>.\nBecome aware of the good things that are in your life and write some of those\ndown. These could be answers to prayer, or God\u2019s provision in your life, or the\nlove of friends or family. When you are in this place, then this is a good time\nto <em>pray for needs and things that you are worried about<\/em>. Remember to\nwrite those down as well. If you are the organised type, you could write them\nin point form. I tend to just keep writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>If you are more of a creative free spirit, try <strong>creating a doodle<\/strong>. E.g a mix of drawings, colours, words and scripture which weave together to become your prayer to God in your own unique way. <\/li><li>Lastly, I keep a \u201c<strong>Dream Book<\/strong>\u201d. This is an idea that came out of a prophetic word given to me many years ago that I would be a dream machine! This is all about my big dreams for other people, they are often BIG prayers, for friends, family, neighbours etc\u2026. these big dreams have often been things like finding love, conceiving a baby, healing from illness, release from debt. I just write these prayers once. I often read back through the prayers. Many have come true and some I still wait in prayer for!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So, those are four prayer journal ideas which you can try out now. Remember to keep your book visible. Try starting \u201cDear God\u201d and see what pours out. Or perhaps you are a more organised type of person. Then start with scripture meditation, then thanksgiving, and then pray what is on your heart. Or make your prayers into doodles and colours. And lastly, don\u2019t forget to try the \u201cdream machine\u201d. Dream big for those you love and treasure. Do you have some other ways of keeping journals? Do comment below and let us know your ideas.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I trust that wherever you find yourself in life that you will find ways in which to draw close to your Heavenly Father in prayer. Please do try these ways, give yourself grace in it all. At times I have used prayer journals regularly and wholeheartedly but there have been other seasons in my life where entries have been very intermittent and fragile. If you are in a desperate place, always speak out your feelings not only in prayer but to other brothers and sisters who can pray with you.&nbsp; If that is hard maybe share your prayer journal with someone you feel safe with. May God richly bless you as you come to him. Don\u2019t forget to let us know your comments and thoughts below, and until next time, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today I\u2019m going to be looking at prayer journals. I\u2019ve found them to be an amazing gift in my journey with God, and I wanted to share with you four ideas for them that I have found useful. I have always prayed in this way, so my home is filled with a variety of journals. <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/4-tips-on-how-to-start-a-prayer-journal\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":683,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[6,13],"tags":[59,60],"class_list":["post-681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prayer","category-reflections","tag-how-to-pray","tag-prayer-journal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/un_journal_600.jpg?fit=600%2C337&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7bKxI-aZ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":704,"url":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/how-to-pray-at-night-bedtime-prayers\/","url_meta":{"origin":681,"position":0},"title":"How to pray at night &#8211; bedtime prayers","date":"October 15, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Today I\u2019m going to be sharing with you three things that I find really helpful to remember when I pray at bedtime. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=VwIsbchElLI&feature=youtu.be Personally, I always try and pray to my Abba Father at night. I guess it evokes that security and protection you can feel as a child drifting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Films&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Woman peacefully asleep on bed","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Sheltered_Julie_Palmer_600.jpg?fit=600%2C443&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":202,"url":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/quietude-instrumental-prayer-music\/","url_meta":{"origin":681,"position":1},"title":"Quietude &#8211; Instrumental Prayer Music","date":"October 2, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Often during prayer times I have found myself taking to the piano and playing some chords gently in the background as others pray and intercede. Music seems to have an extraordinary effect on us. It lifts our hearts, it inspires our minds, and it can also help connect us with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Sunset over rolling waves","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Quietude_Plain_600.jpg?fit=600%2C337&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":609,"url":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/prayer-for-couples\/","url_meta":{"origin":681,"position":2},"title":"Prayer for Couples","date":"February 9, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The closeness found in marriage can provide a really beautiful space in which you learn together, grow in maturity and enjoy a deep friendship and intimacy. It was for me an extraordinary trigger to becoming more of who God created me to be and is such a blessing. However, that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Films&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Hands make shape of a heart with sun behind","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/PE_Love_Hands_600.jpg?fit=600%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":92,"url":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/prayer-darts\/","url_meta":{"origin":681,"position":3},"title":"Prayer Darts","date":"June 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"I have a simple way of praying when I feel overwhelmed by the amount of people I have a heart for, and find that I am \"going under\" trying to pray for so many different needs. It is this. I write all their names on a sheet of paper and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Prayer&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"dartboard with dart in the centre","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/MG_Darts_600.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":355,"url":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/when-everything-lines-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":681,"position":4},"title":"When Everything Lines Up&#8230;","date":"December 4, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"As a \"prayer woman\"\", I am instinctively led to study, practice and mentor in prayer. In my experience, there seems to be a combination of things that can connect together and can lead to my prayers being answered in miraculous and transformational ways. The first factor is \"who\" is praying.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Prayer&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"beautiful country lane","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/MG_country_lane_600.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":803,"url":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/an-easter-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":681,"position":5},"title":"An Easter Prayer","date":"April 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This is a very different Easter time for many of us across the world. Just like Jesus\u2019s disciples after they had witnessed his death, we face uncertainty, fear and sorrow. Yet as we take time to pause and reflect, we shall unearth new treasures of Kingdom value. They will hold\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Films&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"Easter Prayer","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Easter_Prayer_600.jpg?fit=600%2C338&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=681"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":687,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/681\/revisions\/687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prayerscapes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}