Prayer Journaling and Prayer Mapping, Get the FREE Download

I get distracted when I pray. My mind begins to wonder sometimes, and eventually I'm not really praying anymore. Thankfully, I have found a solution that works for me: Prayer Journaling, or more specifically Prayer Mapping!

I stumbled across my first prayer journal while browsing at one of those big chain stores. It was a little pink spiral-bound notebook marketed toward women. I looked inside and saw page after page of the same graphic organizer with little prompts designed to keep you on track. I flipped it over to check the price, and eek! But I thought, "If this is what keeps me focused in meaningful prayer with the Lord, then it will be worth it!"

What is Prayer Journaling?

The simple answer is that prayer journaling is just writing out your prayers to God. You can write out lists of requests or you can write it out like a letter to him. All you need is paper and something to write with. And for some people that is all it takes to stay on track.

I started out prayer journaling in this way. I would make lists of the people and circumstances that I wanted to lift up in prayer. When I crossed something off the list I would often add it to my running "Praises" list of answered prayer. This was very satisfying for a while. I had a running list of how God was working in my life and answering my prayers, after all. But, it didn't solve my wondering mind problem. I needed something more actively engaging.

Journaling Your Prayers

If you need a little extra help staying focused and engaged in prayer, I recommend writing your prayers out like a daily letter to God. Do you need to spring for that preprinted notebook I mentioned earlier? No. If you are new to prayer, or just aren't into free-writing, grab one of my other prayer method downloads (links below) and follow the prompts in any notebook you choose. If it is blank inside that will make it easy to switch up prayer methods later if you choose to try out something new.

Links to those FREE downloads:

The ACTS Prayer Model

The 7 P's of Prayer Modeled by Jesus

The PRAY Framework

For me, the ultimate upgrade to my prayer life was when I started using a graphic organizer--or map to journal my prayers. That pricey journal I bought actually paid off!

Prayer Mapping

Prayer mapping is a lot like verse mapping in that you use a method of prompts that are structured in a visually appealing organizer of sorts.

Page 1 of 2

I usually tell God a little about my day in the first few lines (see left). Then I work my way through the prompts:

• Prayer for others

• Thanks and praise

• Repentance

Page 2 of 2

The second page will walk you through sharing:

• Worries

• Needs

• Anything else you want to share

I usually share with God how I am feeling in the "other things" section. This pause for emotional connection helps to keep me from just going through the motions of prayer.

There is space to write out a verse. For me, this space if for claiming a promise even if that promise is just one that says God is faithful in hearing and answering my prayers.

A few verses on prayer to get you started:

• Psalm 27:7 - "Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!"

• Psalm 116:2 - "Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

• Matthew 21:22 - "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

• Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

I often find that the small notebook that I purchased doesn't give me enough room to write in one section or another, so I created this full-page version. Print it out daily, or just use the prompts as a guide through your own journal. If you don't mind spending a little money, you can send it over to be printed and spiral bound by your favorite print shop.

For more on prayer listen to our podcast episode on Prayer Over Study.

Comment below on your favorite prayer method. Share your prayer requests in the comments and I will pray for you. Blessings.

Prayer Journal Page.pdf

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