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Feb 15, 2017
Faith· Life· The Little Things

Why Prayer Journal?

When I was very young, I wrote in a diary.

Later, I found that book and read it. Memories that had long faded away were brought to the surface because I had written them down.  It was interesting to see what I had worried about, what I thought was most important, and what brought me happiness when I was 11 years old and writing in a puffy covered Cabbage Patch kid diary.

(This post contains affiliate links)

Why Prayer Journal-


As a twenty-something year old, I started a prayer journal.  One of my inspirations to do so was my boyfriend at the time.  He had suffered with depression in his past, and a suggestion his counselor/therapist gave him was to keep a journal. When he was telling me about his journaling, I couldn’t help but think, “I should do that”.

According to Psychology Today, the benefits of journaling:

First, you’ve just taken some time to look at yourself, which continues the flow of therapy and makes you more aware. Second, you’ve begun to organize what can seem like a bunch of disjointed material. Writing forces you to funnel disparate thoughts into one linear stream. Finally, you’re keeping a record of your progress. People who journal for a few months are amazed when they look back to see where they were. Sometimes they’re amazed at how far they’ve come. Other times they’re surprised to find they’re barking up the same tree.”

Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP

I was also inspired by my students and the journaling I had incorporated into my lesson plan.  At the time, I was a Catholic School teacher – and one of the subjects I taught was 7th and 8th grade Theology.  But we didn’t call it theology.  As a true product of Philadelphia’s parochial school system, I simply called it, “religion class”.

I wanted my writing to be a part of my prayer life.  On the first page of my notebook that I started to use as a journal, I pasted a picture of Jesus:

Screen Shot 2017-02-15 at 11.23.20 AM.png

On the next page, I wrote a letter to Jesus.  I told Him that this journal was being started with the hope that I would grow closer Him, that I hoped it would help me not only know myself better, but also know more clearly God’s will for my life.  I then thanked Our Lord for the people He had put in my life . . .

journalentry1.jpg

The reasons why I keep a prayer journal now, are the same as why I began – but more reasons have kept me going with it and keep my desire to continue this practice in the future.

Why I Prayer Journal:

I feel like writing my prayers down allow me to make a form of physical contact with God. Not long ago, I used to write letters to my friend who decided to move to Turkey to teach.  A little while before then, I was a college student who wrote letters to my boyfriend who lived “far away”.  And a few years before that, I kept in touch with a pen pal that lived in North Carolina.  Getting a letter in the mail was so fun!  I knew that the friends I wrote to also looked forward to getting letters in the mail.  It was a way to “stay in touch” before cell phones and social media.  I feel as though when I write a letter to the Lord, He enjoys hearing from me, reads every word, and responds in His own way.  Writing to Jesus allows me to feel “connected” to heaven.

It helps me pay attention.  I tend to daydream. I am very easily distracted.  Writing my thoughts and feelings keeps me focused.

It allows me to really get all my thoughts and feelings out. I am amazed of how much I “let out” when I write.

It provides a way for me to express creativity.

I love to color.  I love to glue prayer cards inside and simply copy a prayer.  I love a reason to use stickers.  I never really got into scrapbooking – I was intimidated by how incredible others’ work looked.  This allows me to do my best at what would be a not so great scrapbook.  Read more about how I prayer journal at: 8 Ways to Pray Using a Journal

journalcreativity1a.jpg



I find that it relieves stress and anxiety.

It reminds me that suffering is temporary. It’s amazing to go back and read what I wrote when I was suffering with crosses of loneliness, confusion and so.much.anxiety.  Seeing those entries and thinking about my present life allow me to see that difficult times do pass.

Prayer journaling gives me another opportunity to thank God for His many blessings. When I write in my journal, I find myself being aware of my blessings and thanking God directly for my family, my home and all the blessings in my life when I write in my journal.  I truly believe that gratitude is so important and should be included in prayer.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer journaling helps me share with the Lord

all that I worry about;

what I think is most important;

and what truly brings me happiness.

Wondering WHEN you could find time to prayer journal?  Read: When DO Real Women Find Time To Journal?

Start Prayer Journaling today with this awesome kit from DaySpring: Illustrated Faith Set

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. LaNeshe says

    February 15, 2017 at 12:58 pm

    Every time you post about it I think I need to incorporate prayer journaling into my journaling. I need to actually start doing it!

    • Amy says

      February 15, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      The Lord gets our attention in all kind of ways my friend lol!!

      • Rita says

        February 20, 2017 at 5:12 pm

        Sometimes it’s the nudge with the elbow, are a stubbed toe??????????? Sometimes as we age we need a stronger persuasion. ……

  2. Christine says

    February 15, 2017 at 1:17 pm

    Thank you for this inspiring post. I keep seeing things about keeping a prayer journal but I never really understood the how/why. Now I do. I am going to start one today! Thank you!

    • Amy says

      February 15, 2017 at 1:22 pm

      Awesome!!!

  3. Anni says

    February 15, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    This is great! I don’t journal – or, I am struggling to pick up the practice. But, I love to hear why and how you are motivated to prayer journal… it’s neat to have an insider’s look, especially when I know I *should* and I am struggling to make gay a spiritual priority.

    • Amy says

      February 15, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      It’s okay if you don’t! Finding time, for me, is the biggest challenge!

  4. Aleesa says

    February 15, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    I need to get a journal and start writing again. I was so fruitful to write things out and I love reading back through my thoughts, inspirations, and struggles.

    • Amy says

      February 15, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      I love how you describe journaling as being fruitful!

  5. Sara @ To Jesus Sincerely says

    February 15, 2017 at 6:29 pm

    I love EVERY one of these reasons! Writing while I pray has changed my life…

  6. Estelle e says

    February 16, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    I love the idea of journaling in general, and prayer journaling sounds truly inspired. Thank you.

    • Amy says

      February 16, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      Thank you Estelle!

  7. Karen says

    February 16, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    I have always had mixed feelings about keeping a journal. Not sure if you ever listen to Dr. Ray Guirendi {sp?}, but during the period of time when I was considering keeping a journal, I heard him talk about this on his radio program. He advised against a journal, or diary, because we tend to write about the things that are bothering us and each time we read that post {or any post in which we might be venting}, we end up reliving that situation and any bad or hurt feelings that came of that situation resurface. We end up not really letting go of an unpleasant experience in our lives. I totally understood that point and that was exactly what I didn’t want from a journal. However, what I DID want was a place for my thoughts on God and a place to keep formal prayers or scripture verses that spoke to my heart. I actually started a journal for this purpose. In addition, I write about life experiences that I’ve had in relation to God, all with the idea that one day my kids might read these passages and I want them to know how I felt about my faith. Even if someone picks it up now, I wouldn’t be uncomfortable with someone reading something I’ve written. Does that make sense? In any case, I’m glad I started it and I try to take it with me to Adoration. That’s when I tend to write the most these days! 🙂

    • Amy says

      February 16, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      Makes total sense! I often think “someone may read this someday” and I think that compels me to think of my blessings!

      • Karen says

        February 16, 2017 at 1:51 pm

        EXACTLY, Amy! 🙂

  8. Rose says

    February 16, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Such a good habit to start. I’ve never tried it but now I’m thinking about it.

  9. Allison Gingras says

    February 16, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    I write in my prayer journal daily. In many different ways when reading scripture, or jot notes when doing spirtual reading. I’ve even been known to write reflections during the Rosary. I do find the physical act of writing helps me process and remember.

  10. Lexie says

    August 25, 2017 at 10:02 am

    Yeses! I keep one as well 🙂

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My husband Matt gives each of our children a bless My husband Matt gives each of our children a blessing before they go to bed at night.
I asked him if his parents did that … and he said, “no”.

He said that his father would bless him with holy water in church, so he was doing that with our son one day and the priest who said Mass saw him do it. The priest then told Matt, “you know, a parent blessing his or her child is one of the few blessings a lay person has the authority to give.” 

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Hi there!!!! I am so happy you are here and we ar Hi there!!!! 
I am so happy you are here and we are connected on “the gram”!

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Somewhere in this group of pictures there is a picture of my parents. In that picture, my dad has his face painted. One of my siblings overheard him talking about him having this done as a “once in a lifetime experience “! 😂 He’s 72… apparently last weekend was his first opportunity to have this done.

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