Why write your prayers down
Writing slows you down. When you pray silently, your mind can drift in seconds. When you write, you have to choose your words, and that helps you pay attention to what you are actually saying to God.
A journal also becomes a record of God's faithfulness. Months from now, you can flip back and see what you were worried about, how you prayed, and how He answered, sometimes in ways you did not expect. The psalmist made a point of remembering the works of the Lord. A prayer journal helps you do the same.
And writing can be a relief. When a worry is on paper, it is no longer only spinning in your head. You have handed it to God in a way you can see.
“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.”
Psalm 77:11 (KJV)
What you need to get started
Very little. Any notebook will do, from a drugstore composition book to a leather journal you received as a gift. What matters is that you like it enough to open it. Tuck a pen that writes well inside the cover, and keep the journal where you will see it, such as on your nightstand or next to your Bible.
Choose a regular time to write, even if it is only a few minutes. Morning works well for many people, but evening is lovely too, especially if you like to reflect on the day. Put the date at the top of each entry. That small habit will make it much easier to look back later.
Some people like to divide the notebook into sections, such as one for daily entries and one for a running list of people they are praying for. Others keep everything together in order. Try one way for a few weeks and change it if it does not fit. The journal serves your prayer life, not the other way around.
A simple format for each entry
If a blank page feels intimidating, use a short structure. Here is one many people find helpful, and you can adjust it as you go:
Whatever format you use, leave a little space beside each request. When a prayer is answered, go back and write the date and what happened. Those small notes often become the most encouraging pages in the whole journal.
- Scripture. Copy out one verse you read today.
- Thanks. List three specific things you are grateful for.
- Confession. Write honestly about anything you need to bring to God.
- Requests. Write your own needs and the names of people you are praying for.
- Listening. Write one thing you sense God may be showing you, or a question you are bringing to Him.
“And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”
Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)
Prayer journal prompts for when you feel stuck
Some days you will open the journal and have no idea what to write. That is normal. A prompt can get your pen moving, and once you start, the words often come.
You do not have to answer every prompt. Pick one, write a few honest sentences, and close with a line of prayer.
- What is weighing on me most today, and what do I want to say to God about it?
- Where did I notice God's kindness in the last 24 hours?
- What verse or phrase from my reading stood out to me, and why?
- Is there someone I need to forgive, or someone I need to ask for forgiveness?
- What am I afraid of right now, and what is true about God in the face of that fear?
- Who in my life needs prayer this week, and what do they need most?
- What am I hoping for, and am I ready to trust God with it?
How to keep going
The biggest obstacle is thinking every entry has to be deep or beautiful. It does not. A journal full of short, honest entries is worth far more than a few perfect ones followed by months of empty pages. Some days, one sentence is enough.
If you miss a week, just pick up where you left off. Do not go back and fill in the gaps, and do not feel guilty. Write today's date and start again. God is not grading your journal. He is glad to hear from you.
Every so often, maybe at the end of each month, read back through your entries. Underline the answered prayers. Notice the patterns. You may be surprised by how much has changed and how faithfully God has carried you.
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.”
Lamentations 3:21 (KJV)
Try a guided journal for a season
If you would rather not start from a blank page, a guided journal can give you a verse and a prompt for each day. This works especially well when you want to focus on one area of life for a season, such as worry, gratitude or rest.
You can also make your own. Choose a book of the Bible, such as Philippians or a handful of psalms, and read a few verses each day. Write down one phrase that stands out, what it shows you about God, and a short prayer in response. Over two weeks, you will have a small, personal study written in your own hand.
The Prayers Academy app offers seven 14-day archetype plans, each with a printable PDF journal you can fill in by hand.