Powerful Prayer Tip Tuesday – A Prayer Journal or a Devotional?

If I were to ask for a show of hands, I think more people would say that they prefer devotionals over prayer journals.  Devotionals lead you through a time of reflection based upon the author’s subject-matter and selected scripture content that is highlighted for that day.

Prayer Journals are like a blank page, and that can be intimidating.

I prefer prayer journaling over a devotional because that is the one place I can deal with myself.  In a prayer journal, it is just me and God.  This precious discipline forces me to focus on what is going on in my life for that day, and at large.  Devotionals do not always do this, and actually may distract me from working on areas that I need to focus on.  However, there is no reason that we cannot do both. If you prefer to do both, I recommend that you start your day with a devotional and end the day with prayer journaling.

When I survey my day, and record those things that are spiritual, it brings clarity to my faith walk.  I like to reflect on the moments I struggled with something, recognize God’s blessings, and pray over exchanges with others that pointed them to Jesus.  Prayer journaling reminds me that the discipline of prayer extends beyond making constant prayer requests.

 

If you are looking for a prayer journal, I hope you will consider the award-winning Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray (Abingdon Press).  It is structured so there is no blank page.  The 10 compartments with scriptures help you focus on what God is doing in your life.

I encourage you to be a good steward of YOU.  No one else is responsible for your relationship with God, but YOU.  Don’t miss one single thing that God is doing in your life!

Please note, that Organizing Your Prayer Closet makes a great Christmas gift, too!

Gina Duke is the award-winning author of Organizing Your Prayer Closet: A New and Life-Changing Way to Pray (Abingdon Press), that introduces the gift of structured prayer journaling.  You can enjoy her weekly #ShePrayerJournals weekend workshops on YouTube, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @TheGinaDuke.