How to Use a Prayer Journal: Six Ways to Stay Focused in Prayer!

[@randallpeik7657]

I had a New Year's resolution to make 2022 the year I would pursue prayer dilegently. I keep a prayer journal and write out my prayers in complete sentences and it has transformed my prayer life. I started with filling out one page (5 x 7 journal) and have increased it through the year and find that I now easily write 2 or 3 pages. I look forward to it every day after I read my Bible and though I do pray a lot without writing them down, I use it throughout the day when I can. I write out my troubles and thought life and ask for God to fix things and I can go back then and see that God has answered my prayers. I like your idea of one page simple prayers. Writing out my prayers helps me to express myself accurately with the right words and has increased my skills in writing.

[@JesusLightsYourPath]

Thank you so much. I realized I also struggle to keep up with prayer and reading the Bible if I continue with the same method. I'm glad someone else spoke of the same thing, it makes me want to get back on track and continue to find ways to make it enjoyable.

[@cjheideldude]

I just started a prayer journal and it has been very helpful to me, especially in dealing with temptation. I just write down my prayers in kind of diary style, but I always try to include quotations from the Psalms and other Scripture, usually from the Scripture I was reading for that day. This helps me better express myself to God and keeps my mind on the Word. Sometimes I also include quotations from Puritan prayers since they really knew how to pray!

[@kainthewriter8764]

My thing is, I never settle well with dated systems. What I’ve learned to use over the years is just a journal, which is a composition notebook. I sit with it every single time I want to talk to God, like any dear friend. It goes with me everywhere I go, and I speak to Him, Mary and the Saints (I’m Catholic) anywhere I want like my truest friends. However, because it’s so fundamental to me, it looks more like a bullet journal that holds my whole life in it. I start with a table of contents at the back end, which is just the prayer and what pages it appears on. I work backward to forward. The back to front has all of the lists. I start with prayers I always want to have on my mind, and go down to specific ones noted down to me day by day. I sort the lists by how long the prayers are for, and an extra catch all rapid log. Then at the front to back, I pray. Each prayer is given a number for the table of contents, and a Sign of the Cross at the top. After, I read and study my Bible, and any time I find a verse or idea that would be good in my prayers, I put it in my journal in the prayer lists. Hope this helps someone

[@mizzycutenezz]

I started writing a prayer journal this year similar to the first style, where I write emotionally and honestly as if it's a diary. One thing I'd like to add that I found very powerful is after I'm done writing everything on my heart, I read it out loud to God. There's something about proclaiming it aloud that ministers to my heart. It's kind of like an outpouring of self through writing, and then an inpouring of the Spirit through proclamation. I also write down prayer requests and date them on sticky notes and cycle thru them aloud afterward. When a request gets answered, I stick it in my prayer journal on the day it's answered and make a note of how God responded.

[@indianahoosier5794]

I have the same issues with my prayer life. However, the effort is there. The consistency is there. You are not alone.

[@AnneShelly-ye7sb]

I always write my prayers because, like you I start to approach God then the next thing I know I'm thinking about dinner, work, stuff. Writing keeps me in His Presence

[@timedgar8927]

Well.... good timing my son for a worthy life award in trail life USA has to do this for a few months.... we will watch this together, Thanks!

[@MatthewEverhard]

That's so cool Tim!

[@Creationhorse]

Thanks for sharing what you do. I wrote down A.C.T.S. G.R.I.P in my prayer journal, to help focus. Here's what I do and what I want to do: I do the entry style prayer journal using the inexpensive Composition Book 😉. I pray silently while reading scripture, responding to what I read. Reread the sections from the morning and evening services, and wed night bible study, praying through those and with what I learned from the teaching etc. Sometimes I get out the prayer journal and write it out. When I walk the dogs 🐕 I pray praises, thanksgiving, gratitude, truth statements, intercession, and what ever comes to mind. List type prayer journals are things that I use over and over...like God's attributes etc. For these, I use the little field notes booklets in a leather cover that I made. Something I want to start doing more is using the prayer sheet from our weekly prayer gatherings, which includes the local church, the presbytery, the world and worldwide church. Thanks for the encouragement 🙏 ☺

[@thetruthseekerswithrandymc5850]

This is right on time. What I do is I would meditate on a verse and write out my prayers from that verse.

[@Jenscraftsandjournals]

Great video! Very informative. Thank you!

[@SAY.8.18]

I've journaled in the ESV Interleaved Bible the past four years every morning based on Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions. Years 1 and 2, I wrote daily summaries of the AM and PM devotions. Years 3 and 4, I wrote daily prayers based on the devotions. Thanks, Pastor Matt, for turning me on to the Interleaved Bible four years ago. It's been a gamechanger, a real workhorse.

[@lizpryz]

Great timing. I'm setting up my prayer journal for next year!

[@martinlenski3926]

At a stage in life where busyness and tiredness are the daily reality (small children)… the simplicity of the "10,000 reasons" journal is a huge blessing. Thank you for sharing!

[@_kj86]

This is great. I struggle with prayer also and this is very helpful.

[@lesliewells1062]

Thank you! This is really helpful. Have you ever seen a traveler's notebook? It's a leather cover and it has these bands and all different types of notebook inserts that you put inside the leather cover with the bands. You can have 2 inserts or 10. And when one is full, you take it out and put in another blank. That's what I use for a prayer journal. It's nice to know even a pastor struggles with prayer because I sure do!! I am going to incorporate some of these ideas into my prayer journal! Thank you!

[@teresaturner8210]

I'm just starting to set up my prayer journal (that I've wanted to do for years!) and this was very helpful. Thank you for sharing these ideas that work. I don't think I came by your video by mistake. To Him be all glory!

[@Yesica1993]

Thank you for always giving us such practical ideas.

[@MatthewEverhard]

You are so welcome!!! I am your low-budget practical theology guy!!! :-)

[@penelopehodge-vx8wm]

I have been doing prayer journaling for a while now and I don't know what I am going to write. I just let my hand write what comes into my mind and continue writing . I don't think of what to write. I just write. Suddenly I will be writing bible verses that I know by heart and it just flows. When I finish I only then read what I wrote. And it all makes sense. So many of my prayers have been answered because it comes from the heart. A system can become boring and to restricted. Just get a pen and paper and write. No formula or system. It's not the system or order that matters. But getting your prayers written, that matters. In the beginning I wrote neatly and made my journal look good but now I don't concerntrate on all that. When you write automatic writing and get your prayers on paper, that's what it's all about. The Holy Spirit guides you in prayer and your prayers will be answered because it's inspired by God 🙏🙏.

[@christopherpayne1771]

I’ve been trying to find videos or a good video about how to start a journal that was devoted to the Bible

[@adamzappia2213]

I started one less than a week ago and it’s going to be a mixture of journal entries and a few other ideas. I’ll likely incorporate some of what’s in this video - thank you!

[@anthonybarber3872]

Amen! I needed this! One book I have found useful is "Praying The Bible" by Donald S. Whitney.

[@vanessaclark6761]

Pastor Matt, I have been journaling since I was a teenager so I have dozens of them in boxes in the garage! They're not prayer journals though, of course.☺ The way my journaling works now is this: as I study through a portion of Scripture I allow the text itself to inspire my prayers. For example, I am currently studying through Colossians. So in chapter 3 I would pray that God would give me the grace to put on the virtues listed there. I also pray these things for my husband, my family and church members. In chapter 1 after meditating on what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord I recorded in my journal this prayer: Lord, make my heart a giver. Help me to know, to realize the extent of the forgiveness, honor, blessing I have received that I might be like You and give that to others. Thanks for sharing your spiritual growth practices with us! PS would love to have an update on the church plant!

[@ManOfPrayer]

Two books that were very helpful to me in teaching me how to properly pray the psalms were the two volume set called Teaching Psalms by Christopher Ash and published by PT Resources/Christian Focus. I now pray the psalms every day, then sing them back to the Lord with my TBS Psalms of David in Metre, and then take notes as things occur to me.

[@melvingamit2479]

Thank you for sharing this....i have a very simple method where i do use a prayer journal to write down what i need to pray for and i also write down scripture related to prayer along with good quotes on prayer whenever i find them. Once again thx u so much.

[@jsmith317]

Fabulous video. Thanks for sharing. I find journaling my prayers is key in living my daily life with Him. Another thing I do in my journal is responding to Scripture. I figure His Word is telling about what's on His heart and mind, so I respond in letter form back to Him.

[@DK-lt2fv]

Great ideas

[@Blurp3]

What I do with prayer journals... I start them, enjoy it, then I end up not continuing it 😭. I'd love to have a whole bookshelf full of prayer journals... But, I just struggle to stick to it. And having multiple books to get into apart from my Bible, is overwhelming for me. I love the last one, "One Prayer Per Page." I will give that a go. I've been wanting to do prayer walks!

[@michaelbritton9620]

I really appreciate you Matthew and all of the comments have been helpful too. I am a pastor/planter and struggle to stay focused in prayer. One way that I have used my journal is to walk through the prayers of Paul verse by verse. Basically praying one verse each day.

[@MatthewEverhard]

Thanks my man!!!

[@chrisjohnson9542]

I like to use the Psalms as outlines to pray through. Also I have pre-written prayers which I have layed out and I use those as tools to help me stay on track when I pray. I struggle to pray as well as I ought. I also try to be prayerful as I'm doing my devotions so I try to be mindful to pray what I'm reading as the word searches my heart. Thanks for your tips too Matt. I'm so thankful for your honesty and it encourages my soul to know I'm not the only one struggling but that even my heroes in the faith struggle with prayer too sometimes. God bless you and your family. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9‭-‬11 NKJV

[@alex3475]

I normally stand by thanking God and prosing him, ask for forgiveness then read 5 Psalms, make some requests. Then read scripture aloud as many chapters as i am able to and then close my prayer. With the scripture reading i start from Genesis to Revelation but as part of prayer, however long it takes to finish but i jump the psalms because i read them all the time at least twice a month. I'm also starting to use the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.

[@JonStallings]

Great tips Pastor Matt. I will need to watch this one again. I too have found it useful to write out longhand my prayers. And like you said, it can be a struggle to motivate myself to do that on a consistent bases.

[@samweaver668]

Wow, the breath in breath explanation was excellent. 😎

[@cristinavetsch3468]

Ten prayers looks goid. Short sharp and sweet

[@yvonnecrozier4536]

Thanks! I love hearing the ideas of others. The Echo prayer app might be good for some too

[@johngeverett]

Very good practical advice! Thanks!

[@frankrecinos7158]

I have an acronym that I've been experimenting with GRACE gratitude, reflection, actions, concerns, encourage. Ill let you know how it goes.

[@OatPancake]

Thanks for the idea! I’ve been doing a prayer journal for a bit now, but it hasn’t been consistent because I really don’t know what to write. This video will definitely help! Just to add to my comment: Pastor Matt when are you going to do a video on your kettle bell workout? 😅

[@douglassnyder8163]

Thanks

[@luisdeluna5095]

Book Of Common Prayer works for me, along with a journal from each passage. Thanks for the video!

[@ChrisGSTL]

Pastor Matt, two book recommendations : “Praying Together” by Megan Hill & “Growing in Prayer” by Mike Bickle. To revolutionary books on growing to love prayer.

[@nccrchurchunusual]

When some one asks me to pray, I try to pray with them right then. Also if some one comes to my mind- I try to pray briefly right then. Looking into doing prayer journal.

[@lolasimmons9152]

Hi Matthew. I'm a Christian and I am bipolar type 2 and ADHD. I wanted to know if it's ok to write out my feelings and thoughts to the Lord because I have feelings that are intense which are normal for being bipolar type 2. I know that non Christian people have journals, but I want to express my feelings and thoughts to God. Thanks so much.

[@toranshaw4029]

Do you have any online resource recommendations for us to do further reading on these methods?

[@rorygilmorelove6]

Can you explain the one page prayer idea a little bit. I'm a little confused but love the idea.

[@jelledebroekert1442]

A way to use the one page prayer can be as followed: you put 1 prayer point per page, so things like: 1. Praying for conversion of eldest son 2. Praying for husband to lead the family But you could also put Bible verses that you use to pray. So verses like Ephesians 1:15-22 to pray for the Church, or prayers of other people that you pray regularly Then you pray though a page, if you wander of by a certain prayer point you go to the next page, when you get at the end you start at the beginning of the journal again. The parts of using Bible verses and prayers are from a different video, This is different from what mr. Everhard said but I think that is a way to use the one prayer page If you have any questions please let me know, With kind regards, Jelle

[@rorygilmorelove6]

@@jelledebroekert1442 thank you

[@flatrockfilly4725]

A war binder is what I use. tons of Videos on youtube about them

[@merryrodgers95]

My journal idea is to focus on as bible hero .LIKE JESUS - For me , this week, it is JOSEPH IN EGYPT. . Get spiral NOTEBOOK. TURN TO LANDSCAPE AND DRAW IN 4 TO 5 COLUMNS. THE FIFTH MAY BE ACROSS THE BOTTOM IF IT DOESNT WORK OUT FOR SPACE.. Column. 1 . Name - Jopseph and the situation of that day for him. COL 2. WHAT WOULD I DO AND THINK IN HIS SITUATIUON? . COL.3 WHAT DID JOSEPH DO? HOW DID THAT HELP HIS STRESS? // COL 4 . ASK THE LORD - COUNSELOR ( JOHN 14 AND 16) TO TELL YOUR HEART WHAT HE WANTS TO FROM THIS ACCOUNT OF HIS SERVANT WITH THE VICTORY. . COL 5- WRITE YOUR PRAYER.WITH SPECIFICS FROM WHAT Y0U LEARNED. MAYBE POST A MEMORY VERSE ON DASHBOARD, MIRROR,AND IN YOUR GYM SHOE. WE MIGHT LEARN IN IN A COUPLE DAYS. PRAY IT ALOUD HIS WORD , BACK TO GOD AND HE HEARS YOU. ( pleae forgive the capitals, they mean enthusiasm - ).

[@kpope7007]

I sometimes use the “Our Father” as my prayer guide. Someone mentioned there is a prayer app where you record your requests and the app rotates them so over a certain period of time you get through all of them. If anyone knows of this app please share.

[@derekmoore5044]

Prayermate is a great app for this.

[@Lorikneisler]

What is your listening prayer?