Growing in the New Year: How to Make a Prayer Journal

Last week, I mentioned that I’m not much of a resolution-maker because I’m so aware that I’m a vow-breaker.

That doesn’t mean I don’t think in terms of where I want to go or how I hope to grow in the coming year. (I mean, I am a gospel coach, after all).

The gospel is about what God has already done through Christ. But clearly He is calling us to continue to mature in our knowledge of Him, and to tell his story in His kingdom.

Freed by God’s redeeming love in Christ, being transformed by the Holy Spirit, we learn to live more fully and freely in His story.

One way we can do that is by making goals and plans. We just have to recognize that God is the Master of the plans and not be too surprised when He changes them or does things His way, not ours.

Last year, I really wanted to grow in my prayer life. Praying without ceasing — as in, talking with God throughout the day or “Oh, Lord, please help me find my keys…” That seems to come naturally to me. But I really wanted more of that deeper prayer, that intimate conversation with God.

So here’s what happened, in steps and story form, with the side benefit of how to make a prayer journal…

1. I prayed. (It may seem pretty obvious, but yes, we can ask God to grow us in our prayer life).

2. I bought a planner. Please note: I did not intentionally buy the planner as any part of my attempt to have a richer prayer life.

I searched and searched, because I have very particular (some would say “picky”) qualifications: luscious paper, soft cover, not too heavy, and a format that works. (I know – it’s exhausting – just ask my husband:-)!

I finally found one that matched most of my requirements, but it was in a different format than I had previously used — all the days were on one side, with a “notes” area on the other.

I tried it for a couple of weeks, and it was NOT working for me. My brain isn’t configured that way.

But, since I had searched for so long, and since it had such lovely paper, I couldn’t just toss it aside.

3. So, I turned that planner into a prayer journal. Actually, I didn’t call it a prayer journal at first. What happened was…I realized how scattered my mind was when I prayed prayers in my head, and I decided to write them down.

4. I was also using a devotional book as a prayer tool — Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year. Looking for a place to copy “keepers,” verses, prayers I wanted to remember, I realized the “Notes” section was perfect!

5. And I kept doing it. Not every day. Not even every week. But most weeks and many days.

As I flip back through last year’s prayer journal, I see what God did there (“I see what you did there!”) —

I think I learned (I am nowhere near finished learning this) a little more about conversing with God.

I learned to listen — to His Scripture, to the story He has told and is telling. I learned to respond — with praise and adoration, not just a long list of petitions, with thanksgiving for who God is, not just what He’s done…with confession about my sin-wrecked heart and pleas for God to change me…prayer…and enjoying it!

Another thing happened, too….I have stories written in my prayers. Of family and friends healed and not, of relationships broken and restored and broken again, of how God’s mercy and love and power and will are working through it all.

Have you made any goals or plans for 2015? What will need to happen for you to reach them?

What tools have you used that help you to have a more intimate conversation with God?