One of my most popular blog posts this year was this one, about the little prayer diary I found unexpectedly helpful.
It didn’t score as many hits as this post, or this, and gained no comments, unlike this one, but I was approached by a Christian radio station and invited to do an interview about it, and it’s the one I’ve had the most personal comments on.
Several of my friends have told me that they, too, struggle to find the time, focus and self-discipline to pray consistently. Having a small, dated space to write my prayers in – a micro-journal if you will – was simple, measurable and achievable. I was successful at it, and success breeds success, so before long the weeks had slipped away and I’d been praying day after day for months.
A couple of people have found diaries of their own and given it a try (how’s it going?), and I thought as a last giveaway of the year I’d buy a couple of small diaries – probably from a charity shop, so the money also goes to a good cause – and send them out.
So, you know the drill – leave me a comment if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning one.
I’ll draw names from a hat this Friday, 11th Dec at 9am London time and notify the winners by replying to their comment and sending an email, so do come back on Friday and check if it’s you! I can’t guarantee getting it to you in time for Christmas, but hopefully by 1st Jan it will find you!
I hope it will kick-start your prayer life like it has kick-started mine.
on Dec 7th at 9:32 am
I don’t know how I missed this blog first time around. Just about to re read Paul Miller’s brilliant book on prayer, as an advent focus. He recommends index cards which I have found sort of useful. This idea sounds better. One way or another, I shall make sure that I’m armed with small prayer diary come the first of Jan! Thank you
on Dec 8th at 8:35 am
Thanks Katie, I haven’t come across that book – I’ll have to check it out. Index cards are an interesting idea – I fear I may spend longer organising them and trying to remember my system than actually praying though! 😉
on Dec 11th at 10:08 am
Congratulations, Katie! You’re one of the winners! I’ll drop you an email or you can message me through the contact form on my website to let me know your address!
on Dec 7th at 12:14 pm
Neat idea! I use my journals the same way.
on Dec 8th at 8:32 am
Thanks Alisa, yes, journals are great too, if you’re not intimidated by the amount of space to potentially fill, like I was!
Glad you’ve got a method that works for you.
on Dec 7th at 3:08 pm
What a good idea! Didn’t catch this before but helpful to read just now. Glad that this has made a difference to you. A great tool for helping to look back at answered prayer too. Thank you.
on Dec 7th at 5:31 pm
Thanks Joni! Yes, it’s really good for keeping track of answered prayers. So encouraging!
on Dec 11th at 10:09 am
Congratulations, Joni! You’re one of the winners! I’ll drop you an email or you can message me through the contact form on my website to let me know your address!
on Dec 7th at 4:12 pm
I bought a diary after reading your post and it has been so helpful. I feel like I am properly giving time to pray every day. Thank you!
on Dec 7th at 5:30 pm
That’s great! I’m so glad it’s helped you too!
on Dec 8th at 8:25 am
I’m keeping a prayer diary too now. Just a short sentence every day but I’m trying to make it more of a daily habit and this is a good start ?
on Dec 8th at 8:30 am
Brilliant. Well done! Every little helps, as they say!