In 2001, I began journaling. Not just any journaling—prayer journaling. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this little habit was going to turn an unsuspecting journal into a Great Romance, unfolding over the years. Prayer journaling can go a long way to encourage a person through seasons of loneliness or waiting on promises, because you get to see the Author of romance writing a story with your life through the midst, something you would almost totally miss otherwise. So how do you get started?
Plan 1 for writers at heart: If you love writing and journaling, you may consider a small three ring binder (7X9). Divide it into three sections: Worship/Thanksgiving; Confession/Requests; God Speaks.
Worship: In this section, write out prayers of adoration and thanksgiving to God—much like you would write to a romantic interest. Be creative and spontaneous. I rewrite Psalms in my own words, or I write lyrics of favorite worship songs, or just brag on God—about how amazing and creative He is. Sometimes I even sit outside under puffy clouds or blazing stars and just marvel at His handiwork as I write. Sometimes I make handmade cards for God out of construction paper and tape them into my prayer journal. I have also printed amazing pictures off my computer that reveal His creative glory, like photographs of enlarged snowflakes, icebergs, or northern lights! In essence, this is where I romance God!
Confess/Requests: This is the place to pour out your heart to God. Where have you messed up? Where do you need His help? What is going on in your life that you really need to pour out before Him? This is like a great counseling session (cheaper, too!).
God Speaks: This is my personal favorite. Write down everything God speaks to you. Maybe from your Bible reading that day, or a new thought or promise God put on your heart, or something your pastor said that just “hit home.” If you are sure you heard God say something (or even if you think you did), write it down. This does so many amazing things. First of all, I think it helps you sharpen your senses to when God is or isn’t speaking into your heart. Second, this is where so many seemingly “insignificant” details of life begin to tell a story. You begin to find that the thing God told you would happen five years ago (usually that you forgot about) has cycled through your life several times on different levels. You begin to learn the character of God—good, loving, faithful—in ways you hardly recognize in the daily grind. It is critical to set aside time each year or two, to go back over this part of your prayer journal, and see what God is doing and saying in the bigger picture of your life—you’ll be amazed! In essence, this is where God romances you!
Plan 2 for non-writers: If writing just isn’t your cup of Joe, get a spiral notebook, and implement the last section, “God Speaks.” Everybody can do this. Do it in list form, if necessary. But don’t miss writing it all down. If you do, you’ll miss the romance!
My Romance Story: I can’t begin to tell you the romance God has been writing with my life since I began prayer journaling, and most of it I saw in small pieces being put together in my journal entries long before the picture came into view. I will give you one small example though.
Back in 2002, before I had written a book or a magazine article, before I even had a website, God gave me Psalm 96:3: “Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does” (NLT). I believed He spoke it to me during my morning Bible reading, but I wasn’t sure. So I wrote it down under “God Speaks.” It sure sounded like an impossibility for someone like me who had never written anything singificant.
Within four years, a long list of strange and curious things had happened that I still don’t think were my idea. I had a written and published book. I was writing for prominent Christian magazines and websites (CBN was my first!), and I had my own website. In fact, by this time my website had reached 162 out of 192 countries, and my book had gone out to at least 20 countries! But you know what? I never would have remembered that God gave me Psalm 96:3 had I not written it down. The romance began to take shape when I read back through and saw what He had started all those years before!
I encourage you to begin keeping a record of life and faith, and to see the romance—you’re romance—unfold!