Dear Deanna
Thank you so much for asking me about my prayer notebook. There are very few things I would rather talk about!
I started having a prayer notebook about five years ago. I have definitely gone through many different phases in how I use it, but there are some things that have stayed fairly constant.
1. My prayer notebook is something that makes me happy when I look at it. Whether I’ve decorated the cover of my latest notebook with a scripture or cut out a clipping from a garden maganize, I want to look at it and smile. To connect with it and feel like, “yep, that’s MY prayer notebook.”
2. I have different sections for my prayers. Sometimes I have ten sections (usually when I am going through a hyper-control-life-phase…oh well) or sometimes just one or two. Then I divide the sections into different things that I am currently learning with Jesus. Here are some of my past sections:
*Intercession (I have a printed-out list of people I pray for every day.)
*Bible Memorization (I print out the current verse/chapter of scripture I’m memorizing.)
*Notes from my Bible reading/A printed out Bible reading plan
*A calendar (This isn’t an exhaustive calendar, but something with a few general things I have coming up written on it. Then I can pray over it and ask God to speak to me about my schedule and priorities.)
*Prayer Structure Sections (I sometimes use a prayer structure to pray like ACTS or Beth Moore’s structure in Whispers of Hope or Becky Tirabassi’s Prayer Can Change Your Life structure. Then I have different sections for the different parts of the prayer structure.)
*Prayer Pages (Many times I just pour out my heart to God and then listen to what He says without using a structure. These are just blank pages where I write out my prayers and write down what I feel like He is saying to me.)
Honestly, Deanna, there are so many more ways to use a prayer notebook. I wish I could remember all the different ways I’ve used mine (I guess I could get them off the top shelf in the living room bookshelves but, ew, I think they’re dusty!).
The main thing I try to keep in mind with my prayer notebook is that it is a tool. It itsn’t something I HAVE to use every day or in a certain way. (My friend Amanda’s prayer notebook looks really different then mine). And that’s the great thing about the Holy Spirit. He’s the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation (Ephesians 1:17). He’s our Counselor (John 14:16). And He wants to lead us into a very individual plan of prayer. (Bottom line: NO LEGALISM ALLOWED!!! 
)
I love, love, love having my prayer notebook. I love making it, using it, and looking back over the years to see the faithfulness of God in my life.
I would love to answer anymore of your questions about this. Like I said, I am SO passionate about this and there is nothing I’d rather do than talk about ways we can effectively enter the Presence of God each day and wait to be filled with His strength and joy.
Love,
Jess
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my prayer notebook!
And it DOES make me happy to look at it. I think of you every day; thanks, friend. Did you get my email about She Speaks?
Thanks, Jess for sharing. I appreciate your willingness to help out. How did you get started on praying properly….by that I mean praying prayers that were/are not selfish, and that were not just asking for the things you want/need but truly praying out of your love from him and getting deep to the heart of the matter. In case you can’t tell I am still fairly new to the Christian walk and have a hard time sometimes not just asking for what I need, or for different circumstances, and just praising him and praying as he would have us to pray. I know my prayers are lacking at times and would love to know how you managed to get started and formed some kind of structure, and what books or reading materials would you recommend to help with this.
I want to thank you so much for being so helpful and being such an inspiration. Please know that you are a blessing to those who know you (even if it is just online).
Hi Jess! Our prayer notebooks sound very similar. I’m a girl that’s all about structure and I think that is why my notebook is so important to me. I’ve got very similar sections to what you have. I feel so passionately about prayer! I have so many stories of the difference it’s made in my life. My notebook is just an aid for me to be even more effective in prayer. In fact, I feel so strongly about this concept because of what it has done for me, I am giving one away in the Bloggy Giveway on Monday with Rock in my Dryer! If it can help someone else grow in their faith, I want to be a part of that!! Thanks for sharing about your notebook. I feel like I know you little better!!
I have been so excited to catch up on your posts! I was using my history list to find you, which meant I kept going back to the same post, which means I just thought you hadn’t posted again yet. Go Me!
I love the ideas you gave! I have done my prayer journal in a marble composition notebook for years, but have just switched to a three-ring binder so I can put in stuff and organize myself a little better. I was forever looking back through notebooks trying to find notes on certain verses. Frustrating!
Thanks for the great tips!
And thanks for coming by! We can have coffe anytime!
Love and Blessings,
Kimberly
After such a meaning post by you, I feel a little silly leaving this as a comment, but….I just tagged you for a meme on my blog. Please dont’ feel obligated to participate if you don’t want to! Take care!
~Carol @ I Throw Like A Girl
I meant to say “meaningful” post…