The Pray App

Prayer journals

How to start a prayer journal, a simple guide for beginners

· Updated · 3 min read

How to start a prayer journal, what to write, prompts for when you're stuck, and how to record God's answers so you can look back on them later.

A journal note written on the back of a prayer card in The Pray App
A journal note written on the back of a prayer card in The Pray App

To start a prayer journal, pick a time, write a few honest sentences to God, add the date, and come back later to write down how He answered. A prayer journal is a place to write your prayers and what’s on your heart. Writing slows your thoughts down, and it gives you something to look back on.

How do you start a prayer journal?

Starting a prayer journal takes only a notebook or an app and a few minutes. Pick a regular time, write the date, and write a few honest sentences to God about what you’re thankful for, what you’re worried about, and who you’re praying for. Use a prompt on days you’re stuck, and come back later to write down how God answered.

Pick a time

A regular time helps a prayer journal stick more than a long entry does. Write before you pray, after you pray, or both. Morning or night works. A few sentences is enough.

Write to God

Many people write their prayer journal as a letter to God. The Psalms show us how to be honest with Him: “Pour out your heart before him” (Psalm 62:8, ESV). You can tell Him what you’re thankful for, what you’re afraid of, and what you need.

For other formats, like a gratitude list or praying a verse, see these prayer journal ideas for beginners.

A journal note about praying for Michael, written on the back of a prayer card Write a few honest sentences while you pray.

What should you write in a prayer journal?

A prayer journal can hold anything you’d say to God. Most entries mix a few of these:

Use a prompt when you’re stuck

A prompt gives a prayer journal entry a place to start:

For more, see these prayer journal prompts.

Write down how God answers

A prayer journal becomes a record of God’s faithfulness when you write down how He answers. Note what happened and when. Some prayers take a long time, and some answers aren’t what we asked for. Looking back still shows how God met you along the way.

When Israel crossed the Jordan, God told them to set up twelve stones so their children would ask what they meant (Joshua 4:1-7). A prayer journal can do the same for you. See how to keep a record of answered prayers.

Start a prayer journal in The Pray App

The Pray App gives you two places to journal. While you pray, flip a prayer card over and write. It saves as you type, and the entry stays linked to that prayer. Or tap Journal at the bottom of the screen, write in the box at the top, and tap Save Entry. On days you’re stuck, tap Use this prompt under Something to Consider.

The Journal screen with a place to write and a prompt under Something to Consider Journal offers a prompt under Something to Consider when you’re not sure where to start.

Your earlier entries are under Saved Entries. Prayers you mark answered show in Journey under Stones of Remembrance, with what you wrote.

Deciding between paper and your phone? See how a prayer journal app compares to paper.

The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to keep a prayer journal.

Questions people ask

How do I start a prayer journal for beginners?

Pick a time, write a few sentences to God about what's on your heart, and add the date. Use a prompt if you're stuck, and come back to write down how God answers.

What do you write in a prayer journal?

Write your prayers, the things you're thankful for, what you read in Scripture, what's worrying you, and how God answers over time.

Do I need a special notebook for a prayer journal?

No. Any notebook, a notes app, or a prayer app works. What matters is that you write honestly and keep it in one place.

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