Are you new to prayer journaling? Want to refresh or improve your technique? Looking for ways to make it more fruitful, sustainable, or fun?
There are literally HUNDREDS of posts out there on how to start or maintain a prayer journal … and it can be a little overwhelming to sort through it all.
SO, I decided to do the hard work for you!
I sifted through the top 50 posts in Google as well as all the Prayer journal articles I could find in Pinterest and came up with my top 5 most helpful prayer journal posts (with a spattering of a few extra honorable mentions because I couldn’t cut them all out).
The General Consensus on Prayer Journaling
- Prayer journaling is a FANTASTIC tool for spiritual growth (even if you don’t think you are a writer)
- Prayer journals are great for tracking your prayers and organizing your prayer life
- There are a myriad of “right ways” to do it – you have to pick which one works best for you
- The important thing is that you PRAY
The criteria I used for “judging” the articles….
True prayer is about conversation with God, about growing deeper in relationship with Him. A good prayer journal should be make prayer more of a privilege than a chore. It should help make your prayer more simple, vibrant, alive and inspired than just another item on the to–do list.
I chose articles that reflected and encouraged this same view.
I also chose articles that had something slightly unique to offer and didn’t just “repeat” everyone else’s suggestions.
I also linked below the “top posts” to other good posts specifically describing different journal styles. I tried to get the best tutorials for all of the different options based on your favorite style.
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Top 5 Prayer Journal Posts
#1) 6 Ways to Prayer Journal – Guideposts.org – by
“You don’t have to be a writer to journal your way to a deeper prayer life”
I love this post because it is: Simple, genuine, beautiful, real, effective, organized, approachable, and short. It makes prayer journaling accessible for anyone (including “non-writers). No fancy advice on which pens, paper, or journal you “should” buy. <3
#2) How to Make A Prayer Journal – WikiHOW
Just a generic post from WikiHOW but really captures the idea that a prayer journal needs to be simple and between you can God only (as soon as it becomes about other things, it ceases to be prayer – Read also: How to Pray from the Heart).
Super quick read – gives confidence that anyone can prayer journal . However, not incredibly encouraging when it comes to why you should use one
#3) How to Keep a Prayer Journal so You’ll Use it Daily – The Modern Mary
Short post, easy read. Great links to resources, plus, practical encouragement for daily use (if you feel you need that). I also chose this post because her site in general is a good resource for maintaining and deepening a prayer journaling habit. Another of her posts, for example, is 10 things you should be tracking in your prayer journal – Equally good just more specific. She has a whole series of them!!
#4) How to Make Your Own Prayer Journal – A little R&R
I like this page because it talks about practical things NOT to do that would encourage you to use a prayer journal more regularly.
It is a good combination between “organization of prayer” and praying for real! (And draws a clear distinction between them).
#5) Using a Prayer Journal to Listen to God – ParticularlyCALLED
I chose this post because it goes much deeper into the benefits of prayer journaling and HOW to make your journal more of a conversation than a monologue (monologues are boring and can lose steam quickly, but conversations are alive!)
Honorable mentions – because, how can you choose just 5!?! (Plus, why they didn’t make the top 5 list)
HOW TO START KEEPING A PRAYER JOURNAL – RachelWojo.com
This post was the top result in google. I like that it focuses on the “freewrite” idea a little and gives good links to different prayer journal options. It is very well written, organized and easy to read. Good brief recap of all your options, plus links to purchase ideas.
Best part: Concept of deciding on a method – she encourages everyone to pick a method they think they will like and stick with it for a week to see how it works out for them
Negatives? – Potentially makes you feel stuck in love letter (“Dear, God,… Love, Rachel”) mode. Maybe it could give you a “one more thing on your to-do list” feeling
HOW TO USE A BIBLE STUDY JOURNAL – The Organised Life Project
I LOVE the concept of the bible study journal, what I have always called “meditations”. She makes them seem quite approachable and simple to do with her “S.O.A.P.” method. Also, I love that she goes on inspiration – “Having a Bible study journal without dates, and without the expectation that I will complete it every day, takes away guilt.”
Negative? – Doesn’t talk about the ability to include other methods/types of prayer within the same journal.
How I Set Up My New Prayer Journal – Intentional by Grace
Great post for crazy organized people with lots of charts, graphs, checklists, and intentions. This one is far more “practical” oriented for an “organized prayer life” than spontaneous prayer with God…. but, if you’re into that, then by all means 🙂
Prayer Journaling // How To and Examples – Joy because Grace
Good compilation of popular posts on prayer journaling, prayer notebooks, prayer binders – showing the plethora of different ways to pray .
What I like about it is that she says “a prayer journal is the MEANS, not the end – its really all about relationship with God” Find which one works for you, and use it!
How To Create an Interactive Prayer Journal – Joy because Grace
For the super creative, who love the idea of making their time with God almost “scrapbooky”.
This is not my personal style at all but I can see how it would be a very good idea for someone just beginning in their prayer life or looking for ways to make it exciting / prettier.
Love that she focuses on the idea that you can do more than one kind of prayer in your journal.
A related post that SIMPLY needs to be mentioned!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post/series – I didn’t include it above because it deals with more than just prayer journaling.
Quiet Time with God: A How-To Series {Part Two: Prayer Resources} -SheriDacon.com
I love the religious impartiality and the deeper reflection. Plus, she talks about the beauty of prayer journaling and her other posts in the series are also very good. Definitely check this one out!
Popular prayer journaling ideas that maybe aren’t as helpful:
- Posts or sites that seem to suggest that meaningful prayer journaling requires their materials. No matter how good their materials are, the suggestion seems to reduce prayer to something you can buy – which is totally untrue. It also seems to make prayer less approachable than it was meant to be.
- Posts with an emphasis on which pens or paper to use also seemed less than helpful to me. Lined paper vs. blank paper, journol or notbook from WalMart vs. Fancy expensive online one… doesn’t truly matter. Just pick what you like. Also, Yes, use a pen that works and does not distract you from the reason you are writing, but try to overcome the need to make your prayer all about the pens and paper and make it more about prayer!
If you are extremely artsy or OCD then journal the way that is the least distracting to you (color coding, tabs, organizational schematics, etc), use the talents and passions God gave you but don’t let your prayer become all about showing off or indulging, rather than actually talking to God.
[tweetshare tweet=”Make your prayer more about prayer!!” username=”CarolynMPereira”]
My conclusions from this research
- Prayer journaling is adaptable to every single person and every single style – don’t feel locked in or pressured to do it one way or another.
- Learning how you best pray while journaling is a process that could take time. Be willing to invest it – your relationship with God is worth it.
Maybe the best plan instead of picking one particular style is to try a combination of all of them. One day you might copy down a song that hits you in a special way. One day you might reflect on a bible passage. One day you might write a love letter to God. One day you might need to cry or vent or let it all out. Some days you might need to beg for miracles and other days you might just want to let Him know all the things you are grateful for. It’s always a good idea to have some kind of pouch or envelope system to slip in loose papers or prayer requests, but try not to get caught up in what one of us bloggers tells you to do. Try asking Him what He thinks you should focus on today. 😉
Good Luck!!
Join the Real, Simple Prayer challenge!
Free 5 day email course (with workbook) to help you build a vibrant prayer life that you can get excited about!
Learn what prayer is and how to create a simple and dynamic prayer routine for your season.
Let me know where you are in your prayer journey in the comments below!!! What is your favorite technique?
Also, Check out the rest of my prayer series!
