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How to Keep a Prayer Journal prompts, layouts and examples

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

— Psalm 5:3 (BSB)

Many of the psalms are prayers someone wrote down. Writing your own slows a racing mind, keeps you honest, and leaves a record of what you asked and how God answered. All you need is a pen, a few minutes, and the willingness to talk to God on paper.

Why keep a prayer journal?

• It keeps your mind from wandering. Writing a sentence makes you finish the thought.
• It shows you God’s answers. Dated requests let you look back and see them: “I will remember the works of the LORD” (Psalm 77:11).
• It gives hard feelings a safe place. The psalms bring honest complaint to God; your journal can too.
• It helps you keep your promise to pray for others. Names on a page don’t slip away.
• It leaves a record for those who come after you: “Let this be written for the generation to come” (Psalm 102:18).

How do I start a prayer journal?

1. 1

   Pick a notebook, or use the one on this page

   A small notebook you carry beats a beautiful one you never open. The online journal below saves your entries on this device.

2. 2

   Date every entry

   Dates are what turn a journal into a record of answered prayer.

3. 3

   Start with Scripture

   Copy one verse from today’s reading, from a Bible reading plan or the S.O.A.P. method. It gives your prayer something solid to start from.

4. 4

   Write to God, not about Him

   Begin with ‘Father,’ or ‘Lord,’ and write as if you are talking with Him, because you are. A few lines each of praise, confession, thanks and requests.

5. 5

   Keep requests where you can find them

   Date each request and leave space beside it. When God answers, note the date and what happened.

6. 6

   Look back once a month

   Reread recent pages, mark answers, and thank God for them.

Prayer journal layouts and sections

Like tabs? Try Daily, Requests, Answered, People and Verses. Prefer simple? One dated stream works just as well.

Prayer journal examples

Start your prayer journal here

Write today’s entry below. It is saved on this device, not sent to us. Stuck? Pick a prompt from the lists that follow.

Prayer journal prompts

Use one or two a day. Answer the prompt in writing, then turn what you wrote into prayer. They work for women and men alike, with groups for family life, teens and kids.

Praise

1. What did you notice about God this week?
2. Pick a name of God (Shepherd, Rock, Redeemer). Why does it matter today?
3. What has God done that you never could have done yourself?
4. Write down one promise of God. Praise Him for keeping His word.
5. What does creation outside your window say about its Maker?
6. Finish this sentence five times: ‘God, You are…’
7. Where did you see God’s kindness through someone today?

Confession

1. Where have you fallen short since you last prayed?
2. Who do you need to forgive? What are you letting go?
3. Who do you need to apologize to? What will you say?
4. What has taken God’s place in your time, thoughts or money?
5. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 slowly. What comes to mind?
6. Write 1 John 1:9 in your own words.

Thanksgiving

1. List three specific gifts from the last day.
2. Who has God used to help you this year?
3. Which prayer has God answered recently, and how?
4. What hard thing has God brought good out of?
5. What ordinary thing would you miss most if it were gone?
6. What did Jesus save you from, and for?
7. What have you prayed about that has changed in the past year?

For yourself

1. List what you are worried about, then hand each worry to God.
2. What decision are you facing? What do you already know of God’s will?
3. Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need today?
4. What temptation will you face this week? Ask for a way out.
5. Where do you need courage, or rest?
6. How do you want to grow in the next three months?

For others

1. Who do you know who is hurting? Write their name and need.
2. Who in your life doesn’t yet know Jesus?
3. What might your pastor’s family need this week?
4. Which neighbor can you pray for by name?
5. Who asked you to pray for them recently? Have you followed up?
6. Choose a missionary or a country. What are they facing?
7. Write one leader’s name and one thing to ask for them.

Family and relationships

1. What does your husband or wife need from God this week?
2. If you are single, what do you want to tell God about this season?
3. Write each child’s or grandchild’s name with one need beside it.
4. Which relationship feels strained? What is the next right step?
5. Which friend could you encourage this week?
6. What kind of man or woman of God do you want to be in ten years?

Scripture

1. Copy today’s verse. What does it say about God?
2. What does it ask you to believe, or to do?
3. Is there a promise here for you to trust today?
4. Rewrite the verse as a prayer, in the first person.
5. Which word stood out, and why?
6. Pray Psalm 23 one line at a time.

Hard seasons

1. What are you grieving? Tell God plainly.
2. Write your own ‘how long’ prayer, like Psalm 13. End, as David does, with trust.
3. What is true about God even when you don’t feel it?
4. What small thing can you thank Him for, even now?
5. Which fear keeps coming back? Write Isaiah 41:10 beneath it.
6. Who could you ask to pray with you?
7. What do you want to remember about God’s care in this season?

For teens

1. What’s stressing you out at school?
2. Which friendship do you need help with?
3. Where do you feel pressure to fit in?
4. Who at school seems lonely?
5. What do you want to ask God about your future?

For kids

1. Draw something God made that you love.
2. What made you happy today?
3. Is there something you need to say sorry for?
4. Who do you want God to help today?
5. What are you scared of? Tell God about it.
6. Draw or write one thing you know about Jesus.
7. Who could you be kind to tomorrow?

A prayer journal for kids

Children can keep one as soon as they can draw. Give each page four boxes: Thank You, Sorry, Please, and Wow (something amazing about God). At bedtime, ask one prompt and write down their words if they can’t write yet. Every few weeks, look back together at the prayers God has answered.

Keep going

• The A.C.T.S. prayer model
• The S.O.A.P. Bible study method
• How to make a prayer list, with a weekly template
• How to pray: a guide for beginners
• How to have a daily quiet time
• Prayer points with Scriptures

Questions