Why Keep a Christian Journal?

I have journaled almost every day for ten years about my Christian life and calling. Even before that, I journaled for decades—although not nearly as regularly—by writing in spiral-bound notebooks. I pray that God will enable me to journal every day for the rest of my life, because journaling really has been that impactful for my Christian life and calling.

Journaling is the primary way that I spend time with God. I write my conversations with Him as I’m talking with Him. I record what I pray for, what I’m learning, how I’m feeling, what I’m thinking, my joys and struggles, the goals that I believe He wants me to pursue, and so many other things.

Below are the main benefits that I’ve gained from Christian journaling:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

• Journaling helps me focus during my daily time with God, because I’m actively writing instead trying to stay focused with God in my head.
• Journaling helps me stay focused—day after day and year after year—with God’s priorities for my life, because the written record enables me to prayerfully review what I’ve written and discover God’s patterns and themes for my life.
• Journaling helps me focus on God’s good faithfulness instead of the world’s turmoil, because I purposely structure my journaling to include reflections upon Scripture and thanksgiving for God's many blessings..
• Journaling helps me remember and act upon what I hear from God, because I write down God’s promptings and next steps.
• Journaling helps me see and celebrate God’s big picture for my life and calling, because every few months,  I review what God has been saying to me.
• I am a Christian life coach who specializes in helping people find and fulfill their Christian calling and grow in Christ. As a general rule, my clients who journal move forward faster and more confidently than those who do not. I believe this is because journaling builds more awareness and intentionality into Christian life and calling.

Is It Better to Journal on Paper or on a Computer?

You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. (Psalm 139:2-3)

For the past 10 years, I have journaled on a computer, which is currently my preferred method. For decades before that, I journaled in spiral-bound notebooks.

Below are the main reasons I like to journal on a computer:

• On a computer, my journal is more private. When I used to journal on paper, I would sometimes not write everything down, because I didn’t want anyone to find and read my private conversations with God. After a year or two, I would burn my spiral-bound journals, for privacy reasons. Now, I password-protect my journal on my computer. I don’t have to worry that anyone will read my private journal, even if I should pass away. Furthermore, I can keep journals a long time with no worries. It’s easy to password-protect almost any document on any computer, tablet, or other device. To learn how to do that, just do a Google search of the phrase “password protect a [Microsoft Word, Pages for Mac, WordPad for Windows, TextEdit, or other word processor that you use] document.”
• On a computer, my journal is more easily searchable. I can quickly find what God says to me about a particular Bible passage or topic, simply by using the Find function within the document.
• On a computer, I can easily edit and organize what I write.
• On a computer, I can actually READ what I write! That’s often impossible when I handwrite my journal. 🙂
• On a computer, I have designed a journaling template—which I copy-and-paste daily before starting my journaling for the day. I change that template frequently. In the next section below, I will share my 7 parts of my template that I have found most helpful.
• If you have physical challenges that make any kind of journaling—whether writing on paper or typing on a computer—difficult, here’s your journaling solution: Dictation! To discover how to dictate your journal using a computer or tablet, Google “dictate a [Microsoft Word, Pages for Mac, WordPad for Windows, TextEdit, or other word processor that you use] document.”

Below are some reasons people might prefer to journal on paper instead of a computer:

• Some people like the personal feel of putting pen to paper. For them, using a computer can be a barrier to journaling.
• Some people do not like to type, or they type too slowly to enjoy journaling on a computer.
• Some people like to draw, color, and otherwise be creative in ways that are difficult to do on a computer. Some people even like to design their journal like a large scrapbook, including photos, stickers, and other designs.

Should you journal on paper or on a computer? Do whatever fits you best!

What Kind of Journaling Boosts Growth in Christian Life and Calling?

How you choose to journal depends upon your uniquely created personality, your current relationship with God, what He’s doing right now in your life, what you’re celebrating at this time, your current struggles and concerns, and so many other real-life considerations.

My own journaling during the past few decades has varied a lot. Sometimes, for weeks or even for months, I’ve journaled several pages every day in my journal—including prayers, reflections about Bible passages, conversations with God, praises, and concerns. During other difficult weeks, and during one very difficult year, I journaled very little—mostly just the particular Bible passage for the day, with very little reflection.

However, I will say that I’ve discovered a few journaling practices that have consistently remained over the years and decades. So I’d like to share my top 7 journaling practices with you.

Below are the top 7 journaling practices that have boosted my own Christian life and calling:

1. Conversation with God

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. (Exodus 33:11)

I often start my daily time with God by saying simply, “Good morning, God!” It’s always gratifying to hear His response, “Good morning, my child!” He often follows up by asking, “How are you doing today?” or “What’s on your heart and mind today?”

Of course, He already knows how I’m doing, and He already knows what’s on my heart and mind. But He also knows that it’s so encouraging and helpful for me to talk with Him about those things. The purpose of that "daily warm-up time" is not for Him to tell me what to do, but just to be in close relationship with Him.

After that, the conversation can go practically anywhere. I might confess any sin and accept His forgiveness. Or I might talk with God about a decision, struggle, celebration, etc. Or He might start a conversation Himself about some way He wants to encourage me or prompt me.

Learning how to have back-and-forth conversations with God is an absolutely transformational way to grow in relationship with God and in your calling. Click here to to my blog for detailed info about talking conversationally with God.

2. God’s current daily priorities for my life and calling

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I keep a constantly changing short list of what I believe are the top 7-10 daily priorities God currently wants me to pray for. Examples are that I grow in my relationship with Him, that He increase my husband’s holistic health, that He do certain things in my Christian calling, that He give me guidance for an important decision, that He bring certain family and friends into a saving relationship with Him, etc.

I pray for these 7-10 priorities every day or almost every day. I believe in the power of persistent prayer.

An example is that, for more than 2 years, I have prayed every day for my husband Ron’s increased health as a diabetic. Ron has had diabetes for 35 years—he first had Type 2 diabetes that advanced to Type 1, during which Ron began using an insulin pump.

However, just last week, Ron’s physician said that his recent blood work shows no kidney damage at all! Furthermore, his final follow-up after cataract surgery shows 20/20 vision in both eyes! This kind of medical profile is extremely rare for long-term diabetics. Ron and I attribute this to God’s grace and our daily prayers.

3. Bible reading, followed by conversation with God about the Bible reading

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God’s Word as revealed in the Bible is the only absolutely true teaching about God and His ways. Reading it is essential for Christian growth, peace, and fruitfulness.

When I read the Bible, my first goal is always to be in relationship with God about the Bible verses, and my second goal is to apply the teachings of the verses to my own life.

At different times in my life, I have used different plans for reading the Bible:

• Sometimes, I used an online plan for reading through the Bible in a year.
• Sometimes, I used Bible studies to study a particular topic or book of the Bible.
• One time, I spent 6 months reading just the Gospel of John, not using a published Bible study, but simply engaging God in conversation about how each verse mattered in my relationship with Him. I had no timetable for finishing the book of John—just a desire to talk with Jesus about it.
• Currently, my husband and I use three devotional guides every morning, and I journal about the Bible passage in one of them most days. The three guides are Our Daily Bread, The Upper Room, and In Touch.

The next 3 journaling practices below (numbers 4, 5, and 6) are based on the Greatest Commandment:

When a teacher in Jesus’ time asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said, “’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

4. Love God

Examples: 

• Praise God. An example is to tell Him, “God, you are [always good, the King of all things, all powerful, all loving, etc.”
• Ask God to be Himself in a particular way to you today. Examples are to tell Him that He is peace over your anxiety, He is hope over your fear, He is truth over your confusion, He is fruitfulness over your sense of futility, He is love over seeming chaos, etc.

5. Love people

Examples:

• Pray for other people's needs and prayer requests.
• Ask God how you might help someone who is struggling or affirm someone who is faithful.
• Ask God to work through you to bless others through your calling. For me, that would be through my coaching and writing.
• Pray for specific people to be saved through faith in Jesus.

6. Love myself

Don’t omit praying for yourself! After all, Jesus did say to love your neighbor as yourself!

Examples: 

• How will you agree with God today about who you are and what He calls you to do?
• How will you HAVE FUN today?!
• What did you learn yesterday in your calling, and what one improvement do you want to make in your calling today. An example of this in my own life is when I wrote 44 blogs in 90 business days. Each day after writing, I recorded what I learned about writing yesterday. Then, I wrote one—AND ONLY ONE—improvement I wanted to make in my writing today.

7. Blessings

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

It’s important to recognize the many blessings God gives us day in and day out. Gratitude keeps us focused on God’s love and providence, instead of on what we don’t have or what’s going wrong.

Examples:

• Sweet times with God.
• Good times in your Christian calling. For me, that includes good coaching calls with my clients and the Holy Spirit’s guidance as I write.
• Good times with your spouse, children, extended family, or friends.
• Material blessings.
• Life's simple pleasures. For me, an example was enjoying watching a mother duck with her brood of ten ducklings, paddling around the pond in our backyard!

That Sounds Like a Lot!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Just in case you're wondering...

I certainly don’t do ALL of the above practices EVERY DAY in my journal! 🙂 Every day, I do record the blessings of the day. Almost every day, I do one or more conversations with God, a Bible reading, and the daily priorities. I do the other practices often, but not every day, and not on any particular schedule.

During vacations, on my weekly Sabbath Day, during sick days, or when I'm just tired and need a break, I journal only the blessings for the day. I believe that giving myself a break and experiencing God just through the blessings of the day expresses my trust in Him and helps me to relinquish my desire to control everything so that I can trust Him.

The point of journaling—indeed, the point of prayer—is not the discipline ITSELF, but the relationship with God HIMSELF. Journal passionately—but freely—in God’s grace and love!

What About Commercially Available Journals?

Many Christian prayer journals are available online. The pros and cons of using a paper journal parallel the pros and cons—listed above—of journaling on paper vs. journaling on a computer.

If you want to journal about a particular Bible study or a particular topic, or in a particular way, published prayer journals can be helpful. I prefer to design my own journaling, and I periodically change it, according to my own unique personality and relationship with God.

What Are the Benefits of Regularly Reviewing What You Write in Your Journal?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

Below are the main benefits of reviewing your journal every three months or so:

• Look for recurring themes.

For example, one time I noticed God repeatedly encouraging me to write. That prompted me to write 44 blogs in 90 business days, so that He could grow my writing skills for reaching more people with resources about growing in Christ and fulfilling their Christian calling.

• Look for recurring Bible passages.

Sometimes God encourages us or guides us by repeatedly bringing certain Bible passages to mind. Talk with Him about what intrigues you about those Bible passages, and ask Him what He wants to say to you about them.

• Look for changing priorities and goals for your life and calling.

For example, you might notice that you’re losing passion for what you’re currently doing, and God might be preparing you for a new direction in your calling.

• Notice how God is growing your relationship with Him.

For example, during the last 6 months of my journaling, I’ve stopped trying to control all of the details about my calling. Instead, I'm feeling good about trusting Him to do His part while I do mine.

• Notice how incredibly much God has blessed you.

I’m always blown away when I review 3-6 months of blessings that I’ve recorded in my journal. What a wonderful God!

• Act upon what you learn from your journal review!

Talk with God about how you see Him working, and take your next steps as He directs!

What About You?

If you do not currently journal:

• How might journaling help you grow in your Christian life and calling?
• Would you prefer to journal on a computer or in a paper journal?
• What will you include in your journaling? Perhaps use some of the 7 practices above.
• On what date will you start journaling, what time of day will you journal, and where will you do your journaling?

If you already journal:

• How would you like to change the way you journal, perhaps using some of the 7 practices above?
• How do you think these changes would help you grow in your Christian life and calling?
• How might regularly reviewing your journal provide even more insight, encouragement, and fruitfulness in your Christian life and calling?

The Lord Bless You and Keep You!

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Have fun growing in sweet relationship with Jesus!

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