Did Lent sneak up on you too? If you’re looking for a new way to make this Lent meaningful, maybe writing a prayer journal is the perfect solution. And if journaling becomes a habit? That’s awesome!
Sometimes we struggle to slow our thoughts down and put pen to paper. Our biggest learning to share? Try not to look at prayer journaling like something you have to check off your to-do list. For us, prayer journaling flows so much better when we make a point to push pause on the daily hustle and bustle, listen to those quiet whispers, and reflect. For us, prayer journaling is so much about going through the process. No need to rush to the finish line, right?
Many people approach prayer journaling in different ways. For some, a lined notebook from the cupboard works great. Others prefer the feel of a particular binding, cover, or inside prompts to inspire them. No matter how you choose to begin your prayer journaling habit, remember – it’s not the book that matters, it’s the quiet prayer time. Note: If you’ve been following along with us, you know that we developed a prayer journal – brand new! You can find more about this unique journal and take a little peek inside the book here: Truly I Tell You Prayer Notebook.
Prayer Journaling is a process
My friend Terry draws this analogy: “God has given us this life to live for His glory. We are on a journey to carry out His will and be all that He has created us to be: to look to Him, love and serve Him, and to turn to Him in all things.
It’s like He is making a quilt for your life. First, envision a design and a pile of the raw materials. As colors and shapes come together, you glimpse random blocks here and there, but you don’t see an amazing overall design.
“The pattern only emerges as the quilt’s top methodically comes together, growing piece by piece. But you yourself continue to see all the unfinished messiness – the raw and rough edges, the cluster of jumbled threads hanging, bumps and uneven seams – your sewing mistakes. Yet when the design is quilted and bound all together and you hold up the finished work – when your life here is done and you sit on the lap of God our Father and see what He has done in and through you – you will finally see that beautiful quilt He has made of your life.”
So as you begin writing a prayer journal, remember it’s the process being revealed to you that’s the miracle. God has designed the journey and will guide your writing.
A dozen tips on how to get started writing a prayer journal:
One of the most touching things we learned in creating a prayer journal, was how we all pray and journal differently. Some people are highly visual, and others love the written word. Each person’s prayer journal is likely to look as different as each of us! But, if you’re new to the idea of prayer journaling, and just want a few little ideas to help you get started, we’ve compiled a few thoughts below.
- Start by just showing up. Make your prayer time an intentional time. The number of minutes doesn’t have to be set. You don’t have an agenda to accomplish, remember.
- Find a quiet place. That means detaching from media, devices and “noise.” You don’t have to be anywhere special to begin to hear God’s voice. But you do have to listen.
- Prep yourself. Try to block out distraction and appreciate the solitude. “Hear” the silence around you. Let your thought process. Let your senses set the tone. Close your eyes and relax your shoulders, like you’re taking the load off for the day. If candlelight helps, light a candle.
- Take it easy – you don’t need to be an expert in theology or your faith. Grow to understand that the Holy Spirit will lead you.
- Engage. Maybe you’ll start by reciting prayers, reading scripture, saying a rosary, or just thinking.
- Be ready to write. Have handy your journal. Maybe you will write, maybe you’ll doodle, maybe you will end with mostly a blank page. Your journal doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Some days you might write a lot and some days maybe only a little. Don’t pressure yourself.
- Jot down what feels right – random thoughts, phrases, words, partial sentences. Maybe your first line is…. “I don’t know how to do this or what to write. Lord, please help me to hear your voice.” Maybe you remember a Sunday reading to reflect on, or perhaps you read a story that remains on your heart. Consider recording your “random” inspirations – you might find some interesting patterns later. Or try a starter line such as, “Lord, I’m struggling with —— and would like your help.” Sometimes starting with thanks and gratitude is the perfect place to begin. Or, you might consider recording what you see or hear around you, and letting your surroundings guide your conversation.
- Pay attention to details. What were you thinking about today as you prayed, read or were lost in thought? Sometimes these seemingly insignificant details don’t seem so insignificant when you look back on them later.
- You don’t need to have the responses to prayer requests. Just write down the requests and reflect.
- Re-read your old entries. You might be amazed in what you see!
- Look for spiritual direction and growth. As you continue, realize some crosses are to be carried a lifetime and others are a short-term burden. When you read over previous journal entries, do you see any patterns or recurring themes? Have you grown or gained peace as you continue to have conversations with God? Do you see resolution to an issue? Do you see where you’ve gained strength to tackle something, or where you are beginning to respond differently? Are you engaged in conversation more as a participant rather than being a narrator, recorder or onlooker?
- It’s not mandatory to journal every day as you pray. But we find, like all things, prayer journaling becomes easier the more we practice. Each day is different – maybe you only write a few phrases some days, but other days seem to require a page or more. It’s not the amount of writing that’s important, but the habit of listening.
Are you in the habit of prayer journaling? What are some of your favorite tips?
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