Journal writing has always been a part of my lift since I was about 10 years old when my grandmother gifted me a baby blue diary with a tiny key to open the lock on it. But a prayer journal is more than listing and discussing the day’s events.
A prayer journal is the collection of love letters.
When I was growing up I had a pen pal with a girl my age that used to be classmate until we moved to the other side of the farming county. For several years until we both reached the age of boyfriends and school dances, we wrote to each other often. I don’t remember the content of those pen pal letters, but I do remember anxiously waiting for the next letter to arrive.
Could God be waiting for my letter?
Several years ago, when life upended itself, I began to cry out more earnestly than ever to God to answer me. I had a revelation and that is when I turned my daily journal into a prayer journal. Although I thought of myself as a faithful Christian, I had taken my prayer life and communication with God for granted.
As I cried out, “Where are you??”
Deep down I knew he had to be there because he told me as much; but where was he?”
“A person’s soul is the Lord’s lamp. It searches his entire innermost being.” Proverbs 20:27
My prayer journal became a scrapbook of my daily communication with God.
Praise, tears, anger, love, it didn’t matter, my prayer journal was a collection of statements, announcements, questions, photos, inspirational cut-outs and poetry. I re-wrote God’s word, verses that I loved, and verses that I fought with in trying to understand him.
All the while screaming the question, “Where are you?!”
“O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord turns my darkness into light.” 2 Samuel 22:29
God lit my path and continues to do so into the new year.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
And as I continue down this path, my question in search of the right true faith is this:
Is Jesus Christ, the epitome of God’s wisdom, at the center of my life’s decisions and actions?
Every day I make choices on the path to the tree of life. Do I have the courage to make these fundamental choices when confronted with the driving force of my life?
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Lord God, You revealed in Jesus Christ that Your foolishness exceeds the wisdom of men, and Your weakness is greater than their strength. Give me the grace and wisdom to understand that in Your gentleness there is power, in Your kindness there is might, in Your forgiveness there is life. Keep me from the folly of relying on my own power or my own purpose. Help me to see the wisdom is born and grows to maturity through faith in Christ. Grant me confidence in Your mercy and hope in Your promises.
I pray in the name of Him who is Wisdom. Amen
~ Lutheran Book of Prayer
May I pray for you?
Please reach out to The Prayer Journals if I can answer any questions about keeping a prayer journal of your own. A prayer journal is an intimate communication between you and God. You don’t have to be a master writer. Perhaps you are an illustrator, a painter, a poet, or a lyricist. Use your gifts to communicate with God however you wish in your prayer journal.
My extended prayer is that you will continue to read along in 2018. I don’t know where God is leading me, but I know He is with me. Whatever your journey, I know God is with you too; and you, my readers are listed on the back pages of my prayer journal as I pray for you.
Blessings on your day,
Sheri
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