Using your Prayer Journal to Connect with God

You have a tremendous opportunity over these next thirty days, the chance to develop a spiritual discipline that can literally change your life. Here are a few suggestions to help you as you connect to God through prayer.

• Set aside a specific time each day for you to spend alone with God and work through your journal entry. To begin, don’t try to go overboard—10 to 15 minutes will work fine. Schedule the same time each day and don’t simply try to ‘fit it in’ as you have time. No matter how good your intentions, if you don’t make the time, you probably won’t take the time. Give God your best time; for some that may be when you first wake up, for others mid-afternoon or before going to bed. Decide on your time and commit to it for the next 30 days.

• Find a place that is as distraction-free as possible. This may seem like a tall order, but it’s no secret we tend to get distracted easily. Maybe you can get to your office 15 minutes early or sneak out to the patio after you’ve put the kids to bed.

• Take a couple of minutes to prepare yourself for prayer. We all have numerous things rattling around in our minds. You might want to take those first few minutes to take some deep breaths, allowing your mind to settle. You may find it helpful to begin your time with this simple prayer: Father God, I come before you today to receive what you have for me. Guide my thoughts and help me to focus on you. Speak to me so I may grow closer to you. Use this time to help shape me into the person you created me to be. Amen.

• Read the scripture passage and the reflection. Ask God to speak to you through these daily readings. Jot down any thoughts you have under my thoughts. Prayer journaling is a powerful way to learn and grow as it helps you to take a moment to consider what you have just read, allowing God’s Spirit to guide you. Next, prayerfully consider how great God is! Take the time to write down some things for which you are thankful under my praise and gratitude. If you have received an answer to prayer, write it down here. Maybe you have some words of worship you’d like to express to God, offer those to him through prayer. Now write down any specific prayer requests you might have, taking time to pray for each. These may be personal requests or needs that others are experiencing. As you close your time write down a specific way you can respond to what you have experienced during this time of prayer. What is your faith step for today? What are the implications of the scripture you read? What did the reflection reading bring to mind and heart? Is there someone with whom you need to talk? Is there something you need to confess to God? Act on whatever it is God has placed on your heart.

Remember, this is a guide to help you come to know and experience God at an ever deeper level. My hope and prayer is that you will continue to pray and journal after the 30 days are over. I am excited to see what God will do in the lives of our people and the life of our church as together we devote this time to him. As always, I would love to hear from you as we progress through this journey together. May God reveal himself to you in powerful ways and may you come to know him more fully!  Peace.

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