July 2018

victed at the same time as I sifted
through the box. There were
journals 10 years later, 15 years
later, etc. I realized how sporadic
my journaling had been. Why
had I stopped? I didn’t know.
Had I reasoned it was too legalistic?
Too mundane? Took up too
much time? Yes. Probably all of
those, but one thing for sure, it
was lifting me out of my dry spell
and leading me to repentance as
I realized it wasn’t just the journaling
I’d neglected—it was the
time alone with God.
A prayer journal is a wonderful
way to keep a record of what
God had done, miracles that you
have witnessed, and things that
you are thankful for. If you are
going through a dry spell, you
feel like God is far from you, or
are wondering if God even cares,
you can go back into the journals
and instantly feel God’s love.
Prayer journals act as a wonderful
reminder of God’s goodness
in times when we forget just how
good a Father He really is!
You don’t have to be a writer
to keep a journal. Journaling is
where you can enjoy being you
and not worry about your grammar,
spelling, punctuation and
the like (although, it does making
reading it years later easier).
Many people find that writing is a
release that often surprises them
and gives them clarity. There aren’t
many rules in journaling. You
can make up your own format if
your like to be free of boundaries,
or follow some established
formats that abound in a Google
search.
I’m going to go on a limb here
and recommend an ink and paper
journal. I’ve written electronically
for years, but the journal
has proven to be better mentally
and there’s a written record for
the generations to follow.
Two of my most treasured earthly
possessions are my grandma’s
Bible, and my dad’s Bible.
Both wrote notes in the margin.
My grandma’s has the date she
heard a sermon preached from
it, the preacher’s name, and outline/insights,
a form of journaling.
Having a format to follow, no
matter how informal, keeps you
on track and helps focus you
spiritual journey on God, and not
yourself. Imagine if I use a format
that starts with a Scripture
passage, followed by what God
said to me, the focus is on God.
Consequently, what I say to God
is going to deal with God and my
response to Him.
On the other hand, what if my
journal is just a notebook on
my feelings? What if I just write
about how stressful the day has
been and how good/bad I’m feeling.
My prayer would likely be a
woe is me format.
Instead, the journal helps you
learn more about yourself. You
will discover, or rediscover, yourself.
You will become friends with
yourself. You will know instantly
what God would have you do in
any given situation because the
Holy Spirit will be leading your
thoughts and reactions. You will
develop discernment and watch
worry fade away.
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