Journals can be a great tool for deepening your relationship with God. Keeping track of your prayers allows you to reflect on what you’ve spoken with Him about, how God has answered those prayers and the spiritual growth that may have occurred as a result. A journal can also allow you to monitor the progress of your faith journey and create new ideas as you go.
In this article, we’ll cover over 20 prayer journal ideas to help you stay connected with God and find clarity in your spiritual walk.
Ready to dive in and find a few ideas to help you get started on your journaling adventure or add new life to an existing practice?
Great, let’s get started!
21 Prayer Journal Ideas For Structure And Guidance
There are many prayer journal ideas, and this is in no way an all-inclusive list, but these activities will help to get you started.
1. Record daily answered prayers
Writing down how God has answered your prayers is a great way to help you remember and reflect on what He has done for you and how God answers prayers, even if it’s not always in the way we wanted him to!
2. Pray through scripture
Use the scriptures as prompts to pray for God’s love, peace, and hope over specific family members, topics, or situations using the Bible verses that speak to you the most.
This is one of my favorite prayer journal ideas because even if you don’t know what to say or where to start, God will guide you and you can hear his answers and find his love in scripture.
3. Write a letter to God
Praising God doesn’t have to be fancy or difficult.
You don’t even have to know a single bible verse to do it.
If you don’t know how else to begin, just start writing a letter to God in your own words.
God hears your prayer requests and sees your heart, and if you let him in, the holy spirit will guide you from there.
But, you don’t have to be a new believer to write a letter to the almighty, you can use this prayer journal idea anytime want to praise God or feel called to do so.
4. Write down requests
Remember the song, “What a friend we have in Jesus“? God wants to hear from us, He wants to be a part of our life, and that means He wants to hear our prayers.
So, in your prayer journal (or even a piece of paper) list any specific requests you have so that you can keep track of them and look back later to see how God has answered them.
Entry examples can include bullet points, full sentences, writing a letter, or answering prayer journal prompts- the method doesn’t really matter, the prayer time does.
5. Commit to quiet time
Everyday life can be busy, that’s why if we want to grow our prayer life, it’s best to decide on a set amount of time each day that can be dedicated to prayer and meditation.
Be sure to write bible journaling and prayer down as an appointment on your calendar!
6. Draw diagrams or maps
If you’re looking for creative prayer journaling ideas, consider this one!
If there is an issue that you need extra clarity on, use your journal to draw out all the possible scenarios or relationships involved.
Then, after you’ve done that, ask God to show you anything else you need to know or understand about the issue at hand.
7. Journal about spiritual experiences
A simple prayer journal is a great way to record moments of God’s presence in your life so that you can look back on them and reflect.
You can buy a journal, choose a printable version, or even create a DIY prayer journal.
Whichever you choose is up to you, but make sure you have a place to write about your spiritual experiences because when you seek Him, God will speak to you!
8. Log prayer walks
If you like walking around your neighborhood, on your treadmill, or hiking a trail, this is a great time to not only enjoy movement but spend time in God’s word.
Be sure to create prayer journal sections for the ideas that came to you during the walk and what God spoke to you.
His love and wisdom could come through a scripture reference you’ve been thinking of, lyrics of worship music, or maybe words someone spoke.
9. Make a list of prayer needs
A great addition to your prayer journal is to have a place to make note of the needs that other people have shared with you.
Write down their prayer requests so that in your quiet time with Him you can stay focused and ask for guidance and love for your friend or neighbor.
10. Log dreams or visions
Writing down any prophetic dreams or visions that God has given you can help to remind and encourage you as you read them back.
It is also helpful so that you can test these dreams or visions against scripture references which will give you confirmation that the information you were given is from the Lord.
11. List spiritual gifts
Writing down any spiritual gifts or anointings that you have can help to remind you of how God has equipped you for a purpose.
Sometimes life gets busy and it can be easy to lose sight of our path, but if you start a prayer journal and list spiritual gifts it can help keep focus and faith in God.
12. Record prayer ideas
When creative ideas come to mind, jot them down in your journal so that you don’t forget them.
Make a prayer list, pray for someone else, scribble a business idea… write down whatever pops up!
13. Write answered prayer stories
Reflect on past answered prayer stories and write them down for encouragement in the present.
We can’t always see the lesson or the blessing when a situation is unfolding, but by looking back, we can see what God has done in our life through circumstances we’ve faced and be thankful to Him for all that he’s done for us.
14. Create a gratitude list
Make a list of all the ways that God is blessing you—from tangible gifts to intangible moments of joy.
You can add a gratitude journal page to your daily prayer time if you want or you could simply add a word or two about what you’re thankful for while you’re praying.
15. Keep track of growth
A prayer journal is a great way to record your spiritual growth and the ways that God is deepening your faith with what He is teaching you.
Sometimes it feels like writing letters, answers to prayer prompts, and spending quiet time with God is a slow, uphill climb in regards to growing spiritually-afterall, growth isn’t always easy or comfortable, but when you look back at your journal entries you’ll be able to see clearly how far you’ve come.
16. Set up a prayer calendar
I love this idea! Make a plan for the week or month ahead so that you can keep track of when and what to pray for each day.
You can add…
- scriptures
- specific prayers
- a word to meditate on
- your favorite worship music
- a prayer prompt
- a thought from prayer cards
- or a reminder to praise God and focus on all you are thankful for.
Add anything and everything to your prayer calendar!
17. Log prayers for yourself
I just know that you spend quite a bit of time praying for others but don’t forget to write down personal prayer requests too.
God speaks through our hopes, dreams, desires, and even hardships so be sure to spend a little time reading the words of the bible and strengthening your relationship with Him.
18. Record prayer affirmations
Positive affirmations or Bible verses are a great help to build up your faith or provide strength in tough times.
Spend time writing down special Scripture passages that remind you of the promises of God, and write them on post-it notes to put around your home.
The more you read these affirmations or pray over them, the more encouraged you will be in knowing that He is with you always.
19. Ask questions
When it’s hard to find the words, write down any unanswered questions that you may have to help direct your prayer.
The Lord is faithful and He will give you the answers that you need, sometimes it just takes a little patience, rest, and faith.
20. Write out prayers of praise
Use your journal to write out praises and adoration for God, reflecting on who He is and all that He has done.
Asking for help and forgiveness is the first step of prayer, but it’s just as important to thank Him and glorify His name.
Writing out prayers of praise can help us remember that God is good and worthy of all honor.
21. Track spiritual milestones
A prayer journal is a great place to jot down any important dates or moving moments in faith, such as when you became a Christian or anything else you feel is a milestone.
Record any landmark moments you have with God, as these are often times that we look back on and remember the faithfulness of our Lord.
A great way to renew the heart and mind is to look back fondly on the sweet moments in your walk with Him.
Last Thoughts About Prayer Journal Ideas
These prayer journal ideas can help you to stay focused and organized as you deepen your relationship with God, while also creating a record of His goodness in your life.
I find it can be helpful to use a printable journal rather than a digital one but feel free to choose whichever works best for you!
Whatever format you choose, the goal is to add a little more structure and focus and make prayer an integral part of your life so that you can grow in intimacy with God and experience all His goodness.
By studying His word, praying regularly, and applying these ideas in your journaling practice, you will be able to spend time being immersed in God’s word and biblical truth, and create a meaningful record of how He has answered your prayers and blessed your life.
You’ll be able to look back at your prayer journal and see all the wonderful things that He has done for you—and be encouraged in faith today!
I hope these journal ideas help you begin to take your relationship with God to the next level.
God bless!