Writing Prayers and Bible Verses

          Years ago, I experienced problems during my prayer time. When I prayed at night, I fell asleep. When I prayed early in the morning, I could not stay focused. My mind drifted to the tasks ahead of me.   

          I resolved this by starting a prayer journal. While some hand write their prayers, I type mine in a journal. Either way works to maintain focus and attention on God.

Recently, I read an article by author Dillon Burroughs called, “How Handwriting Scripture Improves My Prayers.” His article reminded me of several things I noticed now that I journal my thoughts as I read scripture. After a time, my prayers and reflections on the passage blended together.

Although I have never met Burroughs, an avid blogger about handwriting scripture, we both concluded there are three benefits to writing prayers and scriptural phrases rather than skimming a prayer list and a passage in the Word.

Typing (me) or handwriting (Burroughs) forces us to slow down. Rather than beg or shout at our Lord to hurry and fix something, we took time to connect with God. Sometimes we need a quick prayer to resolve an issue, but prayer time should not be a panic.

Journaling causes us to be more specific in our prayers. Before typing or writing our prayers, our petitions were vague and unfocused. For example, as I prayed through a list of missionaries, I rarely got past, "Be with John and Carol in Argentina."

However, if I type, John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” This verse reminds me of challenges several of the individuals on my list have. So, I pray specifically for that missionary and the problem they face. I finish by praising God for the answer I know is coming.

    Journaling makes our prayers more accurate. Our old prayer lives focused on what made life more convenient and comfortable. When we journaled scripture about Saul chasing David, Moses leading the Israelites, or Paul penning Philippians from prison, it brought about perspective. Our lives must center on bringing God the glory, not our own.