Prayer journals
Prayer journal ideas for beginners
· 2 min read
Prayer journal ideas for beginners, from simple layouts to praying Scripture, keeping a gratitude list, and tracking answered prayers over time.
These prayer journal ideas for beginners keep things simple, so you’ll actually come back tomorrow. You don’t need a special notebook or a perfect layout. Try one idea at a time and see what helps you pray.
What are some prayer journal ideas for beginners?
Prayer journal ideas are formats, different ways to lay out what you write. A beginner can write a short letter to God, copy a verse and pray it, keep a gratitude list, write one request and leave space for the answer, or look back once a month. Try one format at a time, keep entries short, and keep whichever helps you come back.
1. Write a letter to God
Start with “Lord,” and write what’s on your heart in a few sentences. The Psalms are full of prayers like this (Psalm 62:8).
2. Pray a verse
Copy one verse you read today. Under it, write a short prayer based on it. Psalm 23, Philippians 4:6-7, and Matthew 6:9-13 are good places to start.
3. Keep a short gratitude list
Write three things you’re thankful for each day. Over time, you’ll have a record of God’s kindness.
4. Write one request and leave space
Write a request, then leave a few lines below it. When God answers, come back and write what happened. See how to keep a record of answered prayers.
5. Journal while you pray for others
As you pray for someone, write one line about what you asked for. It helps you remember and follow up.
In The Pray App, flip a prayer card over to journal while you pray for that person.
6. Look back once a month
At the end of each month, read your entries. What did God answer? What are you still praying for? Write a short note of what you see.
Keep it simple
The best prayer journal is the one you’ll keep. A few honest sentences are better than a beautiful page you never finish. If you miss a day, start again the next.
Try a prayer journal in The Pray App
The Pray App gives you two ways to journal. Flip a prayer card over to write while you pray for someone, or open Journal to write about your day with a prompt. Answered prayers show in Journey under Stones of Remembrance.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See these prayer journal prompts and how to keep a prayer journal.
Questions people ask
What should a beginner write in a prayer journal?
Start with the date, a few sentences to God about what's on your heart, and one person you're praying for. Keep it short so you'll come back tomorrow.
What are some easy prayer journal ideas?
Write a letter to God, copy a verse and pray it, list three things you're thankful for, or write down one request and come back later to note the answer.
How do I keep a prayer journal going?
Keep entries short, write at the same time each day, and look back once a month at what God has done. Missing a day is fine. Just start again.
Related guides
- Answered prayers, how to keep a record of what God has doneHow to keep a record of answered prayers, what to write when God answers, how to handle prayers that stay open, and why looking back strengthens faith.
- Prayer journal app, how to keep a prayer journal on iPhoneWhat to look for in a prayer journal app, how journaling on your iPhone compares to paper, and how The Pray App ties your journal to the people you pray for.
- Prayer journal prompts for every day of the weekPrayer journal prompts for when you don't know what to write, for thanks, confession, requests, Scripture, and looking back on how God has answered.
- How to start a prayer journal, a simple guide for beginnersHow to start a prayer journal, what to write, prompts for when you're stuck, and how to record God's answers so you can look back on them later.