Yesterday, I told you that I was going to post about my resolutions for 2013… so here we go! My “main” resolution is to keep a Prayer Journal throughout the year. This year, I really want to focus on being prayerful. When people ask me to pray for something, I want to actually “write it down” and pray for them. I think that this will also be an awesome way to see how God is working in my life and the lives of others around me. Here is my “how to” on setting up a prayer journal:
1. Buy a Notebook. I bought a plain black one from staples.
2. Tab the notebook for each day of the week (& set categories)
Monday: Husband, Marriage, Relationships
Tuesday: Spiritual Life, Ministry
Wednesday: Work, Home
Thursday: Thanks/Praise, Friendships
Friday: Finances, Giving, Health
Saturday: Family, Neighbors
Sunday: Children, Church, Rest
3. Write 3 key verses about prayer at the beginning for focus, or key life verses you may have.
– Colossians 1:9-10
– John 15:4-8
– Philippians 4:4-7
Basically, I sectioned off the journal by days so that I can stay organized and focus on one area each day of the week. For example, today is Wednesday, so the focus is Work/Home; therefore, I would write down any prayers for my work, or Kevin’s, and any verses that might come to my mind so that I can pray through scripture as well.
Ex: Lord, show me how to make our home a safe haven – filled with your love and word. Help it be a place that builds up our family – a place of honesty and positivity – a source of contentment, acceptance, rejuvenation, nurturing, rest and love. I am doing a great work and I cannot come down – Nehemiah 6:3
*For urgent prayer request, I use sticky notes and move them each day.
If I don’t have anything new to write down, I simply use the book as a tool to pray through for the day. I want to let you know that by no means is this used to pray once for the day and be done. My goal is to be in constant prayer and communication with God. I am simply using this as a tool to be more intentional about my prayer life and praying for others.
Throughout the bible, you see how Paul continually prayed for the people he met and had a heavy heart for their ministry. “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Corinthians 1:4. I simply want to be more like this; in constant prayer.
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” – Colossians 1:9-10
Please let me know if I can pray for you or your family about anything. {Comment or Email}
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