I have tried so many times to start a prayer journal; however, I feel so inadequate.
I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what I am supposed to write down. Most of all, I don’t know where to start in the Bible. I feel like I am a “clanging bell”. I say I know the Word but I only know a few verses and sometimes I have a hard time finding time for Him.
I want so much for what you talk about….a relationship with God. I pray and I ask you to pray for me to begin today.
Where do you start? What a great question!
Where do you start? For some, it’s a system. They use a Bible In a Year program which allows them to read a portion every day from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Psalm and Proverbs. If that’s you, one of the best resources I can share is a friend of mine. Wendy Pope takes women through the Bible in a year. She walks with them through the Bible five days a week. They read through the Bible in a Year, and she shares a message on her blog, along with a video message that brings it to life. Connect with Wendy.
For others, it’s simply reading a scripture or a passage of a scripture. I would suggest you begin in the book of John. Read all of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — a little each day. In Matthew, we see Jesus in His relationships. In Mark, we see the miracle worker. In Luke, we see Jesus as a teacher. In John, we see Jesus as our redeemer, our healer, our Savior. Don’t try to read large passages just to read. Instead, focus on a few scriptures. Let them soak in.
If you want to take those scriptures deeper, you can go to an online site like Bible Gateway and read them in different version of the Bible. I love the New Living Testament and The Message. They just make the Bible come to life! You can also use tools like Commentaries, which help you understand that passage — why it was written, and when, and what the author of that book of the Bible was sharing.
For me, I begin with a book or a devotion. Right now I’m reading through a daily devotion, Jesus Calling. I read it. I soak that in. Then I follow up with the scriptures at the bottom of the devotion. I write down my thoughts. My prayers. I try to understand all that I can about those scriptures (using tools like the above). I ask: how does this scripture apply today, and to me?
And what about the words you write? See yesterday’s post, sis. It’s not about what you write, just that you show up and begin to share your life with God.
And your most important question? I want you to know that relationship begins as we realize how much God truly loves each of us, and desires to take that relationship to a personal level. That’s why I’m sharing so deeply this week about a prayer journal. It’s not about being faithful to a reading program, but discovering on an intimate level what God desires to speak to us, to show us, and what we discover in the process.
He loves you, sis, right where you are. Today. Begin today by accepting that love and begin a lifetime of exploring who God is.
I’m so glad you stopped by, and I hope we can grow together.
