What Is a Christian Prayer Journal and What Are The Benefits To Having One?

The number one reason most people state when asked,' why do you keep a prayer journal', is because it helps them to 'feel' closer to God and it aids them in their daily walk with God. This response is more of the physical response the user's gain by keeping a journal. As to the actual specific of what a prayer journal is made of, it is a notebook or binder that contains your prayer requests, Bible study notes, historical sermons that explained details for you. Hymns and special verses that apply to a situation you are going through, daily confessions, goals, and revelations that God has shown you. As well as details over the last problem God helped you through. Written down specific goals and actions or activities that you are attempting to begin or attempting to not do. Written words of inspiration that come to you when reading the Bible or when in sacred meditation. In conclusion, a prayer journal documents actions and thoughts and can be as simple or fancy as it's owner wishes. Just as there are no set patterns to how God deals with each of us, therefore each prayer journal is very different, personal and almost 'a part of' it's owner.

On one side of the spectrum a prayer journal can be a simple pad of paper and pen kept on the bedroom nightstand. On the opposite end would be the kind that are becoming very popular as of late and it is this type that is available at OLIN'S. This entire, interdependent predesigned type is what I refer to several times throughout this article. Start with a basic three ring binder that has plastic sleeves for a artistic cover and matching spine. The cover and spine can either be hand-drawn art or a prepared design that is selected from a couple of styles available and then printed out on a printer and then inserted into the plastic sleeves, naturally the sky is the limit with this variety. Whenever there is more than one design to choose from it is then called an 'e-kit' and will have other choices for different uses as well. There are many reasons for a more elaboreate journal,however, it is much more important to at least first begin using a prayer journal and then modifying and adding to it as your needs become apparent. I will detail some of the differences and different uses at the end of this article to help give some insight as to the many many uses a prayer jounal can take.

Women are usually more comfortable, right from the start, using a prayer journal and usually have quite large and fancy journals. Men however, generally tend to be a bit more bashful and fearful that 'one-of-the-guys' might find their prayer journal and ridicule him. The idea that a prayer journal is like a diary is completely not true! The major reason for a prayer journal is much more lofty and important, and must be viewed as such if it is ever going to have the chance to help more Christians with their daily walk with God, especially men. It is generally accepted practice to begin each new prayer journal with a, 'statement of faith'. This can be straight from one's catechism with some personal elaborations, or the more desired method is a longer more insightful perception with personal statements and 'why's'.

What type of people use prayer journals?

Anyone who wants to master the use of prayer in their lives, wants and needs various tools to accomplish this. A prayer journal is the first tool for Christians to record thoughts, needs and prayers answered or not answered. The simple use of a prayer journal leads a Christian into a deeper, more enriched Christian life. Soon, those who just wanted to write down prayers and not spend a lot of time in their journal, start to become what I refer to as 'Practicing Christians'. The term Practicing Christian' means to me, one who takes their faith seriously and actively and 'works their faith' and prayer life. After all, I see the word 'Christianity' as much a 'verb' as it is a 'noun'. I gather this understanding from what Jesus often said about producing good 'fruits'. A practicing Christian reads their Bible daily and most often will write notes in the margins until they begin using a prayer journal. Time and reading ability dictates how much or for how long. The more time one spends in God's word, the more they will want to continue to be actively in Gods word!

Practicing Christians who read several Bible chapters a day will often state that regularly certain passages will 'jump-out' at them as a solutions or futher understanding to a situation at hand or prayed over. Holy scriptures as well as other insightful Christian literature rightly claim that without vision or a method of understanding the way through a situation, we tend to get lost and more confused!

Another beneficial and simple action that not only increases reading speed but also retention of the sacred meanings is to write down in one's prayer journal various words that are not familiar. Later, look up in several sources if possible, and write down in the prayer journal the meaning and usage of these unfamiliar words. Writing down the original language word and it's regional or cultural meaning, bestows much insight and in-depth understanding of even the most obscure sacred Scripture.

Once one has used a prayer journal for a while, they will find it enlightening to go back and re-read old prayer journals and compare the beliefs and understandings from that time until now. This is revealing, priceless and most enjoyable. Much wisdom and insightfulness is able to be studied, shared and pondered upon for any current similarities to offer assistance to. Soon it becomes increasingly obvious that those who claim that 'God doesn't answer prayers', are the very ones, most times, without a prayer journal and an 'active prayer life' or they are simply a 'Christian' the noun usage not the verb useage!

One of the most special and detailed area in most prayer journals are the pages of names of people and their prayer intention that they asked others to pray for them. If it is to be reported than it must be as detailed as possible. History, mental state and detailed condition and/or intention to pray for. Try to keep in-touch with these people to inquire at a later date as to the results of their prayer request. Uninvolved or 'third-parties' can usually see much insightfulness, simply because of not being 'too close' to the situation. This can also be applied to personal prayers you ask God. How many times, how different ways and how did things turn out with whatever answer you feel you received?

One of the more important reasons to have a prayer journal is that you'll develop a more intimate relationship with God! Why? Have you ever written a love letter? There is something about putting your feelings down on paper that makes them more real to you. The same is true in your relationship with God. When you take time out to just sit down and focus on Him and His glory, the reality of who He is to you, expands and because it is so, you will want to do this on a regular basis. This action can be called many different things but more often it is simply sacred prayer and meditaion. God says,"be still, and know I am God". People who do this can tell you of many insights and help they have received from doing so.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.-Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) Keeping a Christian prayer journal helps you to do this in many ways.

Next, I don't think anyone has a exact number, however, of those who people who start a prayer journal and work their prayer journal, most (80-90%) stay with it, and taunt it's benefits to others. For as much of a help you can be to another, you can also be for yourself. No one ever starts using a prayer journal with intent of using it only once of twice a year! We all, want to receive more of God's wisdom and mercy. God our Father has asked us to be active and to remain active (verb usage) in our prayer life with Him. He says, 'ask me as you would ask your earthly father' for what you feel you need. He has made it known to us that He has many wonderful things in store for us, we dont always receive as much as we could and as much as He wishes, because we simply did not ask!

(This list is a list of items below are included in OLIN'S Prayer Journal e-kit. This is the example journal I have referred to throughout this article. As well as called it an example of a 'fancy journal'. For more details on this prayer journal click here and it will open in a new window so you can look it over to see if it's the right one for you, for now. Now remember you can put together simular groups of pages, scraps, tracts and hand make a prayer journal for almost nothing. The result to your spiritual life with God our Father is much more important than how 'fancy' your prayer journal is! The choice is up to you based on what you are trying to accomplish. For any other questions email us here.)

The Printable Tools Included In This PDF File Format Prayer Journal e-Kit
3x5" Custom Christian index cards
4x6" Custom Christian index cards
3x5" Prayer time notification cards
3x5" 'We will pray for you @' index cards
8.5x11" Full sized prayer stationery
8.5x11" Full sized blank prayer journal sheets
Read the Bible in a year progress chart
'I Prayed for you today' printable mini booklets
Full sized master journal covers
Binder spine inserts
Timed 'prayer of the day' sheet
'Remember to pray for these people' large reminder sheet
Blank half-fold Christian greeting cards
Blank quarter-fold Christian greeting cards
Prayer intention cards
Full sized Christian stationery note sheets

Because we truly want all families to have these tools and a fair chance at a better prayer life and daily walk with God, we have added an additional five (5) bonuses including a 'complete family devotional set' including the electronic Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible! So there you have it. Depending on what you wish to accomplish you can create a beautiful fancy prayer journal and all bonuses for under fifteen (15) dollars USD or make one yourself with scraps and tracts for almost nothing. For any other questions please email us here. Thank you and God bless!

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Roy Twogood Jr is Managing Director of OLIN e-Publishing Company & OLINeBooks, Denver Colorado-http://olin.tk. If you are having difficulties with the selling price, drop us a note and let us know what you could do. We are only offering to do this, simply because of how valuable to Christian families this work really is. Please do tell your family and friends about this as well! Thanks

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