Over the years I began keeping a prayer journal. It actually started shortly before a period of time where I was sick. My intent was to write down petitions both mine and for close friends. Why? Two reasons: as a form of prayer and a way to look back and see when prayers were answered.
I will admit, I am not super consistent with my prayer entries but I always enjoy looking back at all the answered prayers. I find my prayer journal pretty encouraging and wanted to give you guys three reasons as to why you should keep one too.
1. More Prayer Time
I used to set aside a few minutes before I went to sleep to write in my prayer journal. Sometimes I would write for five minutes and sometimes more. Regardless of the amount of time o spent writing, I considered it all tome I spent talking to God and honestly, is there such thing as talking to God too much? I think not! The closer we get to God the more we grow spiritually.
2. Seeing Answered Prayers
I am always encouraged and overjoyed when I look back on past journal entries and am able to see that God has answered a prayer. It motivates me to keep it up. It’s almost like keeping a log of answered prayers.
3. History
In addition to keeping track of answered prayers. I hope that one day, Lord willing, my husband and I are able to have children, my children will read it (after I have gone home, preferably) and see their mother was a woman of faith and that God was with her. It sounds a bit sappy but this is definitely one of the bigger reasons as to why I keep my prayer journal
Bonus Reason
It can help release stress. I find that pouring out my feelings into paper helps me feel better and by the time I am done writing my entry, I have been reminded of an Attribute of God, be if his sovereignty or his unconditional love, I alway feel better in the end.
Do you keep a prayer journal? If so, what are your motives? Do you enjoy it? How has it helped your spiritual growth? Let me know in the comments.
If you don’t keep a prayer journal, I hope this post in some small way may have motivated you to do so.
SDG – “Soli Deo Gloria”
