Tips for Using a Prayer Journal--and a Giveaway

• Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies
• She openeth her mouth with wisdom...

(giveaway is now closed)

Last week I wrote about how I was working to establish new habits. Some of them, like leaving the television off during the daytime, and limiting my computer time, are new habits for me. Others, like spending more time in prayer and Bible study are more an effort to re-establish good habits. As a Christian, and definitely as a "strong and mighty woman of virtue and valour", prayer should always be a priority to me. Even though I now have more discretionary time on my hands than I've had in years, I'm ashamed to say that it hasn't been.

On one level, I can blame it on distractions. Those things I'm working to limit--tv and time on the computer--plus a small city full of restaurants and stores and attractions of all kinds that can definitely keep me busy with all kinds of interesting things.

Even the things that I do for my family--my virtuous things--my frugal shopping, my cooking, my decorating and crafting, my thrifting--and might I dare say my blogging--can take up my entire day and before I know it, half the night as well, and while I've been busy (somedays) or lazy (did I say that?) I haven't done the most important things, vital to the lifeblood of a godly woman. I may even spend a little token time supposedly praying, but often I find my mind wandering, and before I know it I'm off to something else and days have gone by without me really engaging the Lord in prayer.

This week I'm working on a teaching series on prayer, and I hope to share a good bit of that here, but I want to start off with a tip, a tool, and a technique that I utilize that really helps me maintain concentration, and that's using a prayer journal.

1. The most basic way to use a prayer journal is to do just what the name implies--write down your prayers to the Lord. At times I write them as though as I was writing a letter--"Dear Lord, today I really need your help, I'm struggling with x, y, z, please help me to do the right thing..."
2. Other times I list needs that I pray about--problems at work, a friend who's discouraged, or someone who's sick, etc. I use lists as a reminder to pray for the needs of myself and others, and also as a reminder of what I've prayed about. I often flip back through later and notice that many of the needs have been taken care of, and that in itself can be a good reminder to be thankful for answers that have come without me even realizing it.
3. I use my journal to take notes at church of sermons or Bible lessons that I hear, and also of thoughts that I have when I'm reading and studying on my own.
4. I down write my "to-do" or grocery lists. Pause. Yes, I do--in my prayer journal. By that I mean that when I'm praying or reading and a thought pops into my head "We need paper towels. I wonder if they're on sale anywhere this week? Do I have any coupons for paper towels? Where's m coupon binder? I think I'll make taco soup for dinner. Do we have any corn? Taco seasoning--I need to check to be sure we have enough taco seasoning before I drag out everything to start taco soup. I'm hungry, I think I'll make tuna salad for lunch. Do we have any tuna? What about pickle relish? I need to put the clothes in the dryer. And work on my coupon binder. Where is my coupon binder? I'm hungry, what time is it? " When those kinds of thoughts come in and threaten to distract and derail me, I flip my prayer journal open, (if it isn't open already) and I write it down--paper towels, corn, taco seasoning; dry clothes, organize coupons, etc. Then I can redirect my thoughts to where they need to be, knowing that when I'm done and ready to move on the next thing, I won't forget whatever it is that I need to do.

After using several different kinds and styles, I've figured out that my favorite prayer journals are:

• about 8 x 5--small enough to be easily portable, but big enough to be useful
• spiral bound--so I can utilize the whole page all the way to the margin, easily write on both sides of the pages, it will open flat, and I can fold it back without ruining the binding
• pretty--just because I like them
• ones with lined pages--to keep my scrawl halfway straight

I have a pretty pink journal that I'm using right now, but I'm always on the lookout for my next one. I currently have two waiting in the wings, and I'm giving one of them away to help you with your own fresh start toward establishing or re-establishing good habits.

Journal #1

Inside Journal #1

Journal # 1 has pink and green flowers against a pale yellow background with a green leather strip, and has a scripture quote, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" John 15:33 NKJV. The inside is edged with a pink & green plaid design, and has a scripture on one page and an excerpt from a devotional book on the other.

Journal #2

Inside Journal #2

Journal # 2 didn't photograph well for some reason--my lighting wasn't the best--but it's actually a pale green with cute picture on the front of woman enjoying a cup of coffee (or tea, or hot chocolate, your choice!) in a pretty courtyard in front of store, surrounded by flowers. It also has a scripture quote,"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4 NIV The inside has a scripture quote on each page.

To enter, just leave your name and email address in the giveaway form, along with a comment telling me which one you'd like to have if you win. This giveaway will be open until Sunday, January 24th at 6:00 p.m., and the winner will be chosen at random.

(Giveaway is now closed)

Until next time...