Journaling your prayers for 2012

Last of a 6-part teaching series

by Diann Noles

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Every year Americans are urged to change their habits, reach new goals or transform their lives in some way by writing down a list of “resolutions” they intend to follow throughout the New Year. The problem is most people don’t even look at their list once it is written!

What about your prayer journal? Have you written down the things you’ve wanted to pray about? More importantly, do you continue to look at your prayer journal once you’ve recorded your entries? Just as it’s important to regularly assess your New Year’s resolutions, so you need to be reminded daily of your prayer requests and praises.

A prayer journal is vital to your spiritual growth. It highlights the struggles you’re going through as well as the victories as prayers are answered, reminding you of God’s continuing love and faithfulness. As you pour out your heart to the Father in its pages, your prayer journal can act as a soothing balm for your troubled soul as David recorded in the Psalms, or a song of praise to the One who sits on the throne, as John writes about in Revelation. It can teach an important lesson much like Paul’s letters to the early church, or remind you of your journey as you reread your entries, just as the children of Israel were commanded to tell their story to following generations.

Keeping a prayer journal helps you focus on specific requests or pleas. As I Peter 4:7 states: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” With the moral and spiritual decline in America today, it is more important than ever to be in focused prayer for the nation, government leaders and officials, and society in general. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)

It is important that you take more than just a passing moment to pray. Spend time in your Bible as you research God’s words of encouragement, promise and comfort to you, writing them down in your journal. Remember to record your answer to prayers so you can see God at work.

One helpful tip is to schedule a regular time each day, allowing yourself plenty of time to record your thoughts. If needed, you can research prayer topics through the Internet (such as the Presidential Prayer Team website), newspaper articles, television broadcasts, or even network shows. Keep a notepad and pen handy for prayer inspiration. For instance, while watching your favorite comedy or drama, you might be stirred to pray for a specific situation or person. Jot down that thought and add it to your prayer journal during your prayer time.

On the other hand, a phone call or text may prompt a sudden need to pray. In that case, start praying immediately, and add the request to your prayer journal as soon as you can, remembering to note the date, time and circumstances. People often report that during times of urgent need, they have felt others praying for them and the prayers of the faithful have averted a disaster! When one of these prayers has been answered, it is amazing to be able to see the exact time of your prayer request and the miraculous, often instantaneous answer!

As your thoughts turn to 2012, many things will require focused, intense prayer:

• The economy and job market that continue to be of concern
• The rising rates of substance abuse as people turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their pain
• The continued devaluing of human life, and the increased promotion of deviant sexual behavior
• The increasing persecution of Christians and those who promote Judeo-Christian values
• Your city, county, state and government officials; that they use wisdom in setting policies
• The upcoming presidential and congressional elections

Whatever you decide to pray for in 2012, make it a habit to use a prayer journal. Unlike other resolutions that go by the wayside, commit yourself to pray on behalf of yourself, your family, your community and America.

Diann Noles is a former editor and writer for Christian publications in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR. She now serves as Public Relations Director for a major Christian non-profit organization. She and her husband Bill live in Tucson, AZ and have two sons and three grandchildren.