Article by Trina Dofflemyer
In part one, we looked at what the spiritual discipline of journaling is, what the Bible tells us about it, and why it has added significance for a Christian. In part two, we offer 100 practical prompts to help you begin the spiritual discipline of journaling.
After reading the diary of missionary David Brainerd, Jim Elliot mused in his own journal in 1949. Commenting on the value of Christian biographies in light of Hebrews 13:7, he penned, “Consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.” Reflecting on the lives of heroes of the faith, Elliot was stirred to compose a one-sentence prayer, “O Lord, let me be granted grace to ‘imitate their faith.’” Less than seven years later Elliot would be martyred as a missionary attempting to reach the Huaorani people of Ecuador.[i]
Within the pages of a journal disciples of Jesus Christ wrestle living within this world and yet not being of it. They narrate their adventures, document their life events, process thoughts and emotions, and navigate their faith through pen and ink.
But what exactly should a Christian chronicle or ponder within the pages of a journal? The following list of 100 prompts is to guide and inspire in practicing the spiritual discipline of journaling.
Make a list…
1. What are you grateful for in this moment?
2. A to-do list for the day, and then mark priorities
3. People to pray for who do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ
4. Goals: for your private life, your career, or in the spiritual disciplines
Describe…
5. Something you see
6. What you hear
7. How you feel
8. A food or drink you tasted
9. A place you visited
10. A person you met
11. Your struggles
12. Your joys
13. Your losses
Write down…
14. A beautiful poem
15. A meaningful quote
16. An inspiring illustration or story
17. Ideas to incorporate in your work
18. Ideas to decorate or arrange your home
19. Your travels, through a day or through a year
20. Random ideas you may want to consider when you have more time
21. The path you traveled that day
22. A conversation you had with God
23. Exciting news
24. Upsetting or sad news
25. Thoughts on a book, a blog, or a podcast
26. Meaningful daily events
27. A funny story
28. Your testimony
29. A conversation
30. What you want to say to someone else, but you know this would not be wise. Pray through your response with God, asking for his perspective.
Reflections on…
31. A sermon, perhaps key ideas or principles
32. A book or article you read
33. During and/or after significant life transitions
34. A decision you must make
35. What is depressing you
36. What brings you joy
37. What gives you energy
38. What drains your energy
39. Your day’s journey
40. Your favorite music/podcast/book/television series
41. Your limitations and how to live in spite of them
42. Your temptations and how to avoid them
43. A personal trial
44. A treasured victory
45. Ways to serve your loved ones, friends, and work colleagues
46. A testimony of God’s faithfulness that day/week/year
Relating to reading and studying the Bible…
47. A scripture to meditate on throughout the day
48. An application from a devotional on which to focus
49. Prayers of response to what was read or studied in scripture
50. A scripture God brings to mind during the day in answer to your pleas or in a time of need
51. Insights or questions on a passage
52. Convictions on how to apply a biblical principle or verse
Questions…
53. Questions about God himself
54. …His character
55. …His ways of interacting with the world
56. Questions you want to ask God
57. …When you do not understand what He is doing
58. …When He seems far away
59. …When a dream has been destroyed
60. …When you are experiencing a life you didn’t sign up for
61. Questions about the Bible
62. Questions about whatever is confusing
Record things you do not want to forget…
63. Adorable things children say or do
64. Inspirational quotes
65. Important family events and/or dates
66. Significant events in the lives of loved ones
67. A time when you laughed and who you were with
68. How someone encouraged you
69. How you encouraged someone else
Relating to prayer…
70. Favorite prayers from church history
71. Meaningful liturgical prayers from your faith tradition
72. Prayers for your calling and/or ministry
73. Prayer requests from others and your prayers for them
74. Answers to prayer
75. Confession of sin
76. Prayers about your hurts, fears, or compulsions
77. Prayers reflecting your longings and the desires of your heart
78. Prayers about your anger, loneliness, or a crisis
79. Prayers for loved ones
80. Prayers for missionaries close to your heart
81. A prayer response to something the Holy Spirit impressed on you
82. Outline your day and pray through it with your Heavenly Father
83. Concerns relating to health, work, finances, or other struggles
Items to place in a journal (adding a few thoughts or details)…
84. Family pictures (print one occasionally instead of keeping all of them digital)
85. Movie ticket stub, including insights from the movie and/or whom you went with
86. Clippings from a paper or magazine
87. Pictures from a catalog
88. Drawings, of your own or from your children
89. Collage you create of your goals
90. An article or essay that affected you
91. Photocopies or printouts of special stories/illustrations
92. Pictures of places and experiences
93. Photos with a caption
94. Notes or cards from loved ones or friends
95. Encouraging emails from loved ones or friends
Other Ideas…
96. Compose a song, poem, or story
97. Sketch an image of one of your day’s experiences
98. Sketch a drawing to express your emotional state
99. Put down on paper whatever will not stop swirling around in your mind
100. Attach a printout of one of your favorite hymns
End a time of journaling with a prayer:
Thank you, Holy Father, for your Presence. Guide me on my pilgrim journey with You.
When disciples of Jesus Christ acknowledge God’s Presence, they invite the Creator of the universe to engage with them in an intimate way. As subjective perceptions and experiences spill over onto the pages of a journal, the Holy Spirit is able to use the impressions and ramblings of Christians to refocus their minds and remold their hearts. They begin to see his faithfulness and inter-workings throughout the hours and days and years of their pilgrimages through temporal time as they journey towards a future eternal hope.
For more articles like this one: RZIM.org
[i] Elisabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty, p. 108.