What am I going to blog about today? Prayer Journals.
I think I have decided that since you all know from reading some of my recent post that I have been spending alot of my time reading devotions and books on prayers plus commenting that I worked on a prayer journal over the weekend. Seems like I can't get enough information on praying. (This is something that I have been in prayer for, for a good while) I feel that God has laid this desire on my heart to learn how to create a better avenue of worship with him. Since I pray everyday, several times actually I want a way to track my prayer request and praises and answered prayers ,for a while many years ago I kept a prayer journal in a pretty journal book, and wrote each request that came my way, but after a while I became bored with it, because it didn't inspire me. Is that bad? Anyway, this time I want something that will inspire me to keep it up and use it daily.
So I went on a hunt for something, wasn't sure what until I found it. I found a site that had some wonderful help in getting started.
The top 5 Reasons to Start a Prayer Journal (http://www.squidoo.com/personalized-prayer-journal)
You Need One More Than You Know!
You'll Develop a More Intimate Relationship With God!
Have you ever written a love letter? It is something about putting your feelings down on paper that makes them more real to you. The same is true in your relationship with God. When you take time out to just sit down and focus on Him, the reality of who He is to you expands.Do this on a regular basis, and you will be amazed at how much deeper your connection to the Lord with run.
It Will Revolutionize Your Faith! When you are going through a trial, it is great to have the Word of God there by your side. You can meditate on the countless times God came through for His people.But, having your own book of answered prayers from the Lord can be even better. Your prayer journal can be a ready reminder of God's faithfulness to you when you need it most.
It Makes God's Word Real! Using a prayer journal is an excellent means of Bible Study. When you journal on the things God reveals to you personally through studying His Word, the letters no longer just sit on the pages. It allows Him to reveal what they mean for you exactly where you are today.
You'll Be More Focused During Your Prayer Time! Have you ever been praying. Next thing you know, you're thinking about today's To Do List or something else totally off topic?Writing your prayers down keeps your brain focused where it needs to be - on spending time with your Heavenly Father.
You'll Create A Legacy of Faith! Over time, your prayer journal will develop into a beautiful love story between you and the Lord. It will hold all of the truths that He reveals to your heart throughout your journey with Him, and His great provision for your family through the years. A legacy of faith - Wouldn't that be something to pass on to future generations!
Short List of Supplies
- A journal. An actual journal is not a requirement. You may like these
Now For the Fun Part!
Designing A Prayer Journal Just for You
To create your prayer journal, start by taking an honest look at your own relationship with God. What do you need to make it flourish into all that God desires it to be? It may not necessarily be prayer.Do you need more of God's Word? A chance to get to know what He has already said so that you can believe the things He is saying to you today. Then design your journal with an expanded Bible study section. As a jumping off point, you may want to consider using free online Bible study courses and keeping a journal of what God reveals to your heart as you progress through them.Do you need more time alone just sitting in His presence? Then focus your attention on Revelations from God's heart and your own personal Love Letters to Him.Once you have figured out where your journal should focus, pick out a scripture that captures the essence of what your journal will be about. You can either type it up and tape it to the inside or outside of your cover, or write it at the top of the first page of your journal.Then, you will want to create your table of contents page. On your journal's first page (under your scripture if you put it here), list out the sections that you picked for your journal. Put them in the order that you decide the sections with actually go in.Use the sticky tabs to section off the journal into the appropriate number of sections. The size of the sections should vary. They should be a reflection on where you feel your journal should focus spiritually.Write the name of each section at the top of that section's first page. If you want, pick out a scripture related to each of your sections for inspiration whenever you write.Now You Have Your Very Own Personalized Prayer Journal!
If you are planning to create a prayer journal, I hope this article will help you. Check out some of the links that are offered through this article. The free christian journal pages are very nice. I know I will be printing some of them for mine. I also found a Online Bible Study Notebook. This is way KEWL. I wish I had of used this when I was deep in my bible studies over the years. What a wonderful way to keep track of your studies. It is definitely a favorite.
Ok, before I close, I have a prayer request. Could you still remember Michael's mom in your prayers. Michael is flying to Houston in the AM to spend with her and his father. Although this trip is quick and short, I pray that it will be quality time. His mother got her last test results on Monday and they have also found cancer on her lungs. She is going to start chemo tomorrow for the cancer on her lungs and liver, but they have told us they can't do anything for her pancreas. So if you could please remember her, we all would greatly appreciate you lifting her up to our Heavenly Father. Thank you!
Good Night and God Bless!
WOW! What an excellent post tonight, Cindy! I loved that information on a prayer journal. As you know, having had me as a prayer partner - hee hee... this is one area that needs God's touch in ;-) I loved these ideas and I should get myself together to do a prayer journal. I often use my regular journal to pray, but those prayers are usually focused on myself :-(.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of prayer, I have been remembering Michael, his mom & family, as well as you too in prayer!!
Love ya, Friend!!
Hugs xo
What a great post! I used to write in a prayer journal all the time and then I stopped. I really need to pick it back up. Thanks for sharing all these ideas. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! Thanks for all of the great ideas! When I get more time I will come back and check out of the links further. Hope you have a wonderful day. ((BIG HUGS))
ReplyDeleteCindy, this was such a wonderful post! Thanks so much for putting it all together so beautifully. I have really been blessed lately just knowing there are ladies blogging with the same desires that I am feeling, towards the home, homemaking, etc. With all these binders going on ;) my thoughts had turned toward a prayer journal so this post was particularly timely for me. I love all the links too...what a neat way to be able to share ideas. We are so blessed in this day. And it's so important, the prayer...I've been thinking about Michael's mom, and also how hard it is for loved ones. I've gotten news just lately about two of my siblings...potentially bad results...as wonderful as life is, it can be so hard. But we are not alone. :) Hope you will have a great day! Mine will be less hectic than yesterday. ;) take care...xoxo
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ameerah, and I wrote the article on creating a prayer journal.
I just wanted to say that I was so blessed when God brought me to your blog to know that the article was such a blessing. Sometimes when you put something out there in cyberspace you are not sure if it is really helping people. So, it is nice to know that it really is.
Also, I wanted to invite you all to check out my free online women's Bible study group. It includes a free women's Bible study course, and the lessons are interactive, so you can post your responses to the lessons and read what other Christian women are learning. I would love to have you join us!
You can find it here:
http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/womens-bible-study.html
God Bless!
Ameerah Lewis
Hi Cindy, loved your post today, it makes me want to start a prayer journal - I really need to spend more time with God, not just my bible study at church, but time alone with Him at home. Thanks for posting all of this, it is very inspiring. I couldn't see the prayer journal pages though on that link? What am I missing?
ReplyDeleteI do have a prayer journal with pre-printed pages, that I should start using again, or I need to create a new one for myself to help 'motivate' me :)
I will keep Michael's mom in my prayers, and also Michael, that he has a safe trip and some quality time with his mom.
Hugs Denise
Dear Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI found your great website last week when I googled, "prayer journal," to help us in the fight of our lives in keeping out a huge megadairy CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation)of 5,200 cows initially that can grow to 14,000 + on only 135 acres.It will definitely pollute our wells and air, as our part of the state is underlaid with broken, karst limestone that will allow any manure leakage to travel into our drinking water aquifers, @ miles per hour instead of the normal inches per year.42 acres of manure pits, 20 feet deep is not going to be pretty.
For this I would appreciate your prayers.
I KNOW PRAYER CHANGES THINGS.
What I printed out for our group to post on their fridge:
Psalm 119: 145 - 153: " Hear our cry, O LORD..."I included space for 10 PRAYER REQUESTS and Date of ANSWERED PRAYERS.
Also,since my children were little, I have memorized the verse II Chronicles 7:14, praying for America..."If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face,and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land."
It has to start with me, as you say, in our homes.
That beautiful picture you ran on your website with your clothesline with aprons and price tags is so darling.It inspired me to buy close to $50 worth of similar material on sale to start sewing aprons for gifts.
Now that you have taken the apron picture down, is it possible to see it again?
A warm hug to you and yours today.God is good.
Thanks again!
Thank you, Cindy, for "redecorating" your website with the aprons and their tags on the clothesline !
ReplyDeleteYou're a Huggy Doll!
My little boy Rob once had a cat named Huggy !
Love and prayers to you & yours.