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Prayer journal ideas
Whether you’re experiencing times of great change and challenge, or you’re in a season of joy, starting a prayer journal is always a helpful way of refocusing your perspective on God.
Many people find that prayer journalling encourages them to take time to listen to God and share our burdens with Him. Keeping a prayer journal can also remind us how God is faithful as He answers our requests over time.
How to start a prayer journal?
1. Find somewhere quiet
Prayer journalling is a great way to escape the hecticness of life. Find a quiet space away from distractions to help you focus. During this season where lots of us are stuck indoors, why not find a quiet corner of your garden to help you get some fresh air whilst journalling.
2. Begin your prayer journalling time in prayer
Before you start writing, take a moment to pray and invite God to speak to you.
3. Root your prayer journalling in the truth of God’s word
Take time delving into a Bible passage to help you remember how great our God is. Remind yourself about what the Bible says about the power of prayer. You may find our collection of encouraging Bible verses helpful as you start out. Fill in the scripture box on your chosen prayer journal template to record the Bible passages you’ve chosen to focus on.
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you” Jeremiah 29:12
4. Date your prayer journalling
By dating your prayer journalling sessions, you’ll be able to look back at how God has been faithful over time.
5. Remember to be thankful as you journal
Each of our prayer journal templates has a section for you to give thanks to God. I’ve found this particularly helpful as each day it encourages me to lift my eyes away from my own circumstances and to my Heavenly Father.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2
6. Take time to record answers to prayers
So often, I forget what I’ve prayed for, and I don’t notice when God answers. Prayer journalling means you can look back over the past month or six weeks and note down how God has moved in different situations in your life. Recording answers to my prayers has built my faith as I’ve seen God move and bring change.
Free prayer journal templates
We’ve created three stunning prayer journal templates for you to download, print and use in your journalling.
For prayer ideas head to:
An answer to prayer
Reading stories of answers to prayer can also build our faith and remind us of God’s faithfulness, especially during challenging times. We recently heard this wonderful news from our colleagues in Honduras. It reminded us that when you sponsor a child with Compassion, you can empower them to see transformation in the lives of their family, community and country.
Six-year-old Obed lives in an under-resourced rural village with his parents and two older sisters. His father is a construction worker and the only provider for the family.
The situation became desperate when Obed’s father’s monthly salary was withheld. The family had little means to survive. That’s when Obed prayed.
“I learnt during Bible classes [at my Compassion project] that no matter our age when we pray to God, He is always listening. Because I know that He can hear me, I prayed about my father’s job, and he needed money,” says Obed.
“We gathered every night to pray before bedtime.”
A few days later, there was a knock on their door. It was Obed’s father’s boss.
“We were surprised to see him,” says Obed.
Obed’s father learnt that a new construction project was about to start, and he’d have job security. Furthermore, Obed’s father received his payment from his boss, which was more than they expected!
“We could not believe it. We all hugged each other at the good news and praised the Lord for answering our prayers and adding more than we had asked for. My parents shared this testimony with other people so they can learn to trust God, too.”
Give thanks to God for Obed and his unwavering faith. Praise God for Obed’s Compassion project that encouraged him never to give up hope but turn to God in prayer. Most importantly, join us in thanking God for His good provision – for blessing us with more than we expect – both now and into eternity.
If you’ve been inspired by Obed’s story to sponsor, begin with a child today.
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