Battling Distractions: My Search for the Perfect Prayer Journal
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One of my goals for this year was to start—and stick with—a prayer journal. But as soon as I set this goal, I ran into a problem. My quiet time with God has always been inconsistent. I know this. I try to fix it, but no matter what, I fall back into old habits.
I do best when I’m in a Bible study with my women’s group at church or with friends. Why is that? I think it’s because I feel accountable—I “need” to get it done. I don’t want to fall behind! I learn a lot during those studies, but when they end, I struggle to continue on my own.
Another challenge is that my mind wanders easily. I make sure there’s no TV, music, or distractions around me, yet my thoughts still drift. Did I buy Mom a birthday gift? That movie I watched last night was good… but what if… Then I snap back to my reading—only to realize I don’t remember a word I just read. It’s so frustrating!
And I hate to admit it, but the same thing happens during my prayer time. I’ve even started my prayers by saying, “Sorry if I wander, Lord. You made me; You know how my mind works…” Is that the right approach? I’m not sure. All I know is that I get sidetracked—often.
Am I the only one? I doubt it, but it sure feels that way sometimes. So, I’ve been trying to find a solution. The first step was recognizing that I thrive when I have accountability. No one checks my Bible study work, but knowing we’ll discuss it motivates me to follow through. And when I do, I feel closer to God.
The second step was acknowledging that I love to write things down. During Bible studies, I jot notes in the workbook. But when I don’t have a structured study, I don’t write at all. So, I decided to get a small notebook for my quiet time.
Then came the next dilemma—where to start? What should I write? What if I need more space for a previous entry? I searched online, scoured Pinterest, and found tons of ideas. But instead of feeling inspired, I felt overwhelmed. Was it because they suggested using a bulky 3-ring binder? Was it because the methods involved making tabs, skipping pages, and organizing things just right? Or was it because there were so many good ideas that I couldn’t decide which one was best for me? Maybe it was all of the above!
Sometimes, my biggest struggle is over-researching and getting so much information that I feel paralyzed—so I do nothing.
So, for now, I’m keeping it simple. I’ll use my little notebook, the same one I’ve used for Bible study notes, and turn it into my prayer journal. I am also going to work on making a more “improved” prayer journal just in case I do not end up sticking with just the notebook.
What do you use for a prayer journal, war room binder, or gratitude journal? What do you love about it? What challenges have you faced? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Let’s walk in grace and wisdom together.
With love and encouragement,
**P.S.
I will update you on how well I have been doing with my prayer notebook in a few months! Be on the look out for my prayer journal coming in March 2025!
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