Friend, can we be honest with each other for a moment? I’ve gone without praying for such long periods that I've started questioning my faith.

I was a fairly new Christian, and with the busyness of all three kids at home, it wouldn’t take long before I’d start drifting. I’d go for months without saying a word to God. I’d hear about Him in church, but I wasn’t carving out intentional time to listen to Him.

Most times when I’d turn my focus on Him, He would be right there, like a best friend ready to pick up where we left off. However, there were a couple of times when He made me work for it, like a neglected spouse who wants to be assured that I was serious about the relationship.

It was in those times that I would feel Him drawing my heart to His heart. I needed to find a way to make meeting with the Lord a habit.

I know that sounds a bit dry. Shouldn’t our love for Him make it easy to seek Him out?

It doesn’t always, and while that truth doesn’t make us bad people, it’s not great for the relationship. I mean, what would happen if I acknowledged my husband, Brian’s, presence every day, but didn’t do anything to nurture our marriage? Just pointed in his direction and said, “Yo,” but never asked him how he was doing. Things would get awkward between us really quickly.

Any relationship requires copious amounts of communication to stay strong.

One way my husband, Brian, and I have been intentional about regular communication is by going on road trips together. The main reason this works is that we can’t look at our phones when we’re in the car—no distractions, nothing else being prioritized. Since we’ve always lived outside the city, even the trip to church on Sunday can become a deep and meaningful conversation. We formed a habit by tacking communication to an activity we were already doing. Similarly, I developed the habit of prayer through journaling.

My Story of Finding God in the Quiet

Early in my Christian walk, I was carrying so much pain that I didn’t even know what to pray. My heart was full of questions I didn’t know how to ask and doubts I couldn’t untangle. Every time I tried to put my thoughts into words, it felt like they got stuck halfway to heaven.

That was when I started prayer journaling. At first, it was shaky and unsure. I wrote what was on my heart—raw, sometimes bitter, always vulnerable. “God, I don’t even know where You are in all of this. I don’t know what to say to You.” But over time, those words turned into conversations. Where I had poured out pain, He poured back peace. Where I felt empty, He reminded me of His promises.

Through journaling, I learned I didn’t have to show up polished. I didn’t need to “fix” the things in my heart before bringing them into His presence. All He wanted was me. And that changed everything.

Psalm 62:8 says, “Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” That’s what prayer journaling invites you to do. It creates a sacred space where you can meet with God—just as you are.

Friend, you don’t need to be “good” at prayer or journaling for this to work. You simply need to show up, open your heart, and trust Him with the rest. The more I practiced praying using my journal, the easier it became to pray out loud, whether in private or in the presence of others.

Just as Brian and I formed a habit of meaningful communication by tying it to something we were already doing—our road trips—I developed the habit of prayer by tying it to journaling, an activity I was already familiar with.

Over time, this habit grew and expanded. Eventually, I found it natural to connect with God during other daily activities, like folding laundry or preparing meals. By anchoring prayer to the rhythms of my life, I discovered how to make it a consistent and meaningful part of my day.

Honest Prayers, Healing Words

Here’s what happens when you start prayer journaling:

Your Heavy Thoughts Find a Refuge

Those swirling anxieties and burdens in your mind? They’ll finally have somewhere safe to land. Transferring them from your heart to the pages of a notebook can bring clarity and calmness you didn’t expect.

You Begin to Recognize His Voice

When you write down your prayers, you create space to listen to God. It’s in the stillness of those moments that His whispers often come—through scripture, a reminder of His promises, or a quiet reassurance in your spirit.

Healing Starts To Happen

God does beautiful work through honest prayers. When you lay your thoughts bare, He meets you with compassion and begins to untangle the hurts and fears you’ve been carrying. Journaling helps illuminate His hand in your healing process.

Your Trust in Him Deepens

Over time, prayer journaling becomes a testimony to His faithfulness. Looking back at past pages, you’ll see how He has carried you, answered prayers, and brought peace in ways you didn’t expect.

How to Start Your Prayer Journaling Journey

If you’re ready to give this practice a try, here’s a simple roadmap to get you started:

1. Find a Notebook You Love

It doesn’t have to be fancy—just something you’ll enjoy using. Your journal will be a space where you meet with God, so choose one that feels special to you.

2. Start Where You Are

There’s no “right way” to do this. Write how you speak to God. If all you can manage is “Lord, help me”, that’s enough. He understands. Trust me, He’s already preparing to meet you in your honesty.

3. Use Prompts When You Feel Stuck

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s okay! Try starting with one of these prompts:

• “God, today I feel…”
• “Lord, I’m finding it hard to trust You with...”
• “I’m grateful for…”
• “Please give me wisdom about…”

4. Reflect on Scripture

Write out a verse that resonates with where you are right now. Ask God to show you how He’s using that truth in your life. You don’t need to solve the mystery of scripture—just sit with it and see what He reveals.

5. Give Yourself Grace

Prayer journaling isn’t about perfection. It’s simply about showing up. Some days, your words will flow freely. Other days, it might be hard work. Both are holy offerings to God.

An Invitation for You

If you’re wondering whether this can really help you in the middle of your overwhelm, your heartbreak, or even just the grind of day-to-day life, here’s what I can say with confidence:

Yes, it can.

Not because the act of writing does the work, but because the God who meets you in that place does. He heals, restores, listens, and loves you exactly where you are—and that space you create in your journal is a gateway to experiencing more of Him.

Grab a pen and a notebook today, and start small. Maybe with a single thought or a simple “God, here I am.” That’s enough to begin. And when you do, He’ll meet you there.

In the Love and Grace He’s shown me,

Crystal

I realize that opening a notebook and writing your prayers can still feel intimidating, so here’s what I’ve done to make it easier for you:

If you head to the journals tab there are many versions of digital or print prayer journals that have been lovingly and prayerfully crafted for anyone who struggles to get their words out.

www.journalsbycrystal.com/journals

Each journal is designed to help you focus on one scripture, one activity, or one page per day. And you only have to do that for 30 days in a row. That's a very low-key investment with guaranteed big results!

It won't be long though until prayer journaling has become such a beautiful habit that you are excited to sit down with God each day. So be brave, choose a journal that meets your current needs, and get excited for the transformation that's coming you way!

  Originally posted on Rewritten by Grace.