Prayer Journaling Tips
Deer in the Headlights
Have you ever felt like a deer in the headlights when you realized you forgot to pray for someone? That happened to me several years ago. A person thanked me for praying for them. I was ashamed that I’d forgotten to and resolved to never again let that happen. The next morning, I asked God to show me a way to record prayer requests for those who asked me to pray for them and also go back and thank Him for His answers. In the quiet of the early morning hours, the word “spreadsheet” came to mind. Put the names of the people you pray for regularly across the top of the paper each week and designate a friend column for additional requests. Do you wish you had a better way to keep up with your prayers? If so, visit debbietaylorwilliams and click Prayers of My Heart. You’ll find prayer and journaling tips to rejuvenate your prayer life so you don’t forget to pray for someone.
I Forgot to Rejoice
A few days ago I was feeling STRESSED! Yes, I had begun my morning in praise and prayer. Yes, I had read my Bible and been blessed and encouraged. But LIFE STILL HAPPENS, doesn’t it. And, life can be stressful. Rather, it is stressful. Jesus said, “in the world you HAVE tribulation.” Not, “may have” tribulation. So how do we handle the stress that accompanies tribulation? Christ’s remedy is for us to REJOICE. “Rejoice?” we might ask. Are you kidding me? I’m stressed. I want to scream. I want the world to stop and me to jump off. Rejoice? And that’s where I was a few days ago. I spelled it out for my sister in a text. “I’m so STRESSED.” My phone rang the next instant. Linda didn’t say “Hi, honi,” like she usually does. There was no small talk. Instead, what fell on my ears were the Scriptures at the end of this post. I encourage you to put your name in the blank and then hear the words as coming straight from Jesus’s heart; because He loves you and is there for you in your stressful situations. AFTER you hear His words of comfort, please click HERE and then share this post on facebook or forward it to your friends. If you’re watching the videos that follow, it will help to get the word out on PRAYER if you click the “thumbs up” in the upper right portion of the video. The reason I’m asking you to share what’s going on with the prayer journal is because God has stirred many people’s hearts to become more passionate and purposefully in their prayer lives. Many have order the prayer journal and we’re all anxiously awaiting a new shipment of the journals so everyone can begin journaling. The reason I’m asking you to share this post is because many people are feeling stress for lots of different reasons. Please receive the encouragement for yourself; then share the reminder that even even in the midst of stressful times, our Lord is with us, He’s on the throne and we can can REJOICE in that. Now, from God’s heart to yours.
Dear __________, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. … practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
Heavenly Father, thank You that we can rejoice in You no matter what is happening. Thank You that You are KING, on the throne, and in control.