Keeping a Prayer Journal: 7 Tips To Help Get Started

by Crystal McDowell Print Print Email Email

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of
long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds
(Psalm 77:11-12).
When Joshua and the Israelites came out from wandering the desert, God caused
the Jordan River to part so they could pass over. He instructed twelve men from
each tribe to pick up a stone in the middle of the river as a memorial of how God
allowed them to walk across the riverbed during its flood stage.
Keeping a prayer journal is the same kind of memorial for you and your children
of how God has been good to your family. Theres so much that happens in a
lifetime and sometimes we forget about the goodness and faithfulness of God.
The prayer journal serves not only as a reminder but also as a way of
strengthening your faith when you face more trials in this lifetime.
Use the following 7 tips to help you get started in this wonderful journey:
Tip #1) Begin with prayer for Gods guidance
The prayer journal serves not only as a reminder but also as a way of
strengthening your faith when you face more trials in this lifetime.
The prayer journal serves not only as a reminder but also as a way of
strengthening your faith when you face more trials in this lifetime.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope
is in you all day long (Psalm 25:5).
Have you ever started with good intentions to eat right and exercise, but then
later you fizzle into your old habits and routines? Many of us begin with a prayer
journal, but soon its gathering dust on an end table. Our prayer journey should
begin with asking God to give us the perseverance to follow through what we
plan to do. Through Gods amazing grace, He will prompt you to write down the
necessary facts that you may forget later.
Tip #2) Find a quiet place for reflection and meditation
Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells (Psalm
26:8).
Finding the right place may be just as difficult as finding the right time to write in
your journal. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit for the best place to
reflect and meditate. It may be early in the morning, late at night, or you may

use a lunch break once a week to fast and write in your prayer journal. The
awesome revelation is that the place where you meet God is wherever you are!
Tip #3) Search for a scripture(s) that correspond with your prayer request and
write it out at the top of the page
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (Psalm 119:105).
The Holy Spirit will direct you to the scriptures that speak most closely to your
request. This isnt forcing a scripture to bring out the outcome you desire. Rather
its humbly submitting your will to Gods will. Many times the Holy Spirit will
quicken your heart to pray in a different direction. You will rejoice in the
answered prayer that flows with the word of God.
Tip #4) Think about what you can give thanks to God in your prayer request
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).
Its our nature to write out a laundry list of requests to God without giving the
first thought to what we can thank Him for in our situation. There is always grace
in every crisis because the Lord tempers our trials with the power to sustain us.
Think carefully and deeply over your prayer request before you write it out. Find
those bursts of grace moments that you can give thanks to God.
Tip #5) Write out your prayer requests with specificity
Jesus stopped and called them. What do you want me to do for you? he asked
(Matthew 20:32).
Wouldnt it be evident that the blind men were calling out to Jesus for healing?
Yet Jesus asked them what they wanted. When we write our requests down with
all the specifics, we know what we have asked and thereforewe will know when
our prayers have been answered. When God shows His glory through our
answered prayers, we experience a greater faith in Him.
Tip #6) Praise God for hearing and answering your request in accordance with
His will
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
(Deuteronomy 32:3)
Because you know that God will answer your prayer requestpraise Him in
advance! Proclaim God for who He isawesome, wonderful, faithful, generous,
mighty, and holy. Use the book of Psalms as a starting guideline for praising God.
Find the names of God that correlate with your prayer requests. For example, if
you are praying about a sicknesspraise God for being the true Healer.
Tip #7) Remember to go back and write in your journal how God answered in His
perfect timing

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the
things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.
Teach them to your children and to their children after them (Deuteronomy 4:9).
The most important step but the one many of us forget is to go back and write
how God answered our prayers. By doing so, we give our families something to
look back on and continue the legacy of faith. Davids faith was strengthened
against Goliath when he shared about killing the lion and bear. So it is with us
our faith is renewed when we read back over our journals and reflect on Gods
deliverance.
A Little Effort for a Lifetime
Keeping a prayer journal doesnt take as much time as it does effort. We must
continue to strive in the habit of remembering the Lords help in our lives and
share it especially with those in our families. The Lord uses our miracles to build
up the faith and courage of others. Take the time today to begin a lifetime of
journaling.
.Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/keeping-a-prayer-journal7-tips-to-help-get-started/#ixzz43bGalTl6