4 WAYS KEEPING A PRAYER JOURNAL HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE

by Jacklyn Sweet

I was first introduced to keeping a Prayer Journal by my very good friend Paris Hatcher circa 2014. Paris and I met via Instagram back in 2014 and have been the best of friends ever since! One thing about my friends, is that all of my friend’s are spiritually aligned, in tune, and spiritually strapped! 


I remember in the beginning of Paris and I’s friendship, she frequently mentioned  how writing in her prayer journal helped her navigate through various situations and phases in her life. She also said how her prayer journal made her feel more connected to God. When her and I met I didn’t own a prayer journal, I was barely consistent with writing in my regular "everyday" journal. After being around Paris for awhile I ended up in TJ Maxx (you know TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods have the bomb journal selection!) searching for the perfect journal to use as my very own Prayer Journal. 


Fast Forward the year is 2019 and Paris created her very own Prayer Journal and I have been filling mine up ever since!

 

Paris M Hatcher Prayer Journal

Here are the 4 ways keeping a prayer journal has impacted my life:


  • ACCOUNTABILITY 
    •

    Keeping a journal that is specifically a space for my thoughts, gratitude, woes, and request to God makes me want to be consistent in my journey and commitment to  strengthening my relationship with God. And since my journal is tangible (and aesthetically pleasing by the way) it helps me to remember to check in with God and let him know “what’s up”. 


  • REFLECTION 
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    I love the fact that I can always go back to my Prayer Journal and reflect on where I was in my life and where my relationship with God was a year ago, a month ago, or even a few weeks ago. I truly enjoy reflecting on my personal and spiritual growth through my journal entries, as well as my blessings, obstacles that I’ve overcome, and what my conversations with God have looked like overtime. 


  • RELEASE
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    After I complete an entry in my prayer journal I feel lighter, it’s something about “giving it all to God” for me… giving him all the praise, my worries, and all the glory. Simply releasing whatever it is and giving it all to him is freeing for me. God never gives us more than he knows that we are capable of handling (even though we may feel differently when we are on the receiving end of what he is giving us/has given us). My prayer journal is a space for me to release and surrender all that is in my life.


  • GRATITUDE
    • One thing about me, I’m going to always let it be known how grateful I am for all that I have and all that I’ve been through (because the tough times made me the woman I am today). Like most people, I do not look like what I have been through. God has blessed me tremendously and he has also brought me through some tough and trying times that I would have not been able to overcome if it were not for his grace, mercy, and many blessings. God continues to bless me because he knows I am grateful so I always make sure to start my prayer journal entries off with thanking him for the blessing to see a new day and the opportunity for a fresh start.

     

    Prayer Journal

    2 comments

    • This truly touched my heart!!! I am so VERY Grateful for our friendship. Thank you for coming into my life and showing me that what I do for God isn’t in vain. Thank you for allowing me to share my highs and lows with you and you see that with God all things are possible. I love you and I am soooo happy you are back blogging!!! ;)

      Paris Hatcher

    • Wow! I love this blog. Journals are effective and you’re right writing assists in creating a timeline of your journey. Paris’s energy helped align you to build a closer relationship with God. I love how you emphasized handing everything over to our almighty god. Thank you for this I will continue to read.

      Ty-Kiera B.

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