Spiritual Journaling – January Prompts

Ok, y’all.

I know we talk a lot about journaling here on the blog, but stick with me.

I haven’t been journaling lately.  Well, I haven’t been journaling in the traditional sense, that of pouring out my guts about all the daily hullabaloo. 

Before the holidays I was really struggling spiritually with a few things.  I felt led to journal about what I was dealing with, which basically became a big prayer to God on paper, and let me tell you.  It was pretty beneficial.  I connected with God in pretty profound ways as a result.

Now that I’ve gotten a taste of it, I think reflective spiritual journaling is going to be a regular part of 2020 for me. Reflection time is so important. It’s a chance to examine what we’re going through and see how God is at work transforming us through – and in spite of – our circumstances.

I thought I’d invite you to come along on the journey with me.  Interested in seeing how spiritual journaling can deepen your faith? Me too!  Let’s do it together!

Let’s talk details.

No need to grab any special supplies for this, other than a journal and a pen.  If you need a journal recommendation, I just purchased a Peter Pauper Press journal and I LOVE it.  It’s beautiful, and the pages are thick enough to handle my favorite Paper-mate pens without any bleeding to the back of the paper.

Also, I came across this book, “Journaling as a Spiritual Practice: Encountering God Through Attentive Writing” by Helen Ceparo and am really looking forward to reading it.

How will this work?

My hope for this practice is to come up with a few journaling prompts to reflect on each month.   I’ll post new questions at the beginning of every month here on the blog, and we can use those prompts during our own journaling time to strengthen our relationships with God.  I’m planning to reflect on these questions regularly throughout the month, maybe revisiting them once a week or so.

But don’t limit your journaling to these prompts!  As you pray and read the Word, keep your heart open to listen for what God wants to say to you, then write about those things. This should be a practice that leads us closer to Him. 

As with regular journaling, be prepared to be gut level honest as you journal.  Change and growth can’t happen if we’re holding back our honest thoughts and feelings.  God will meet us on paper as we wrestle with and ponder our faith through journaling.  Let’s not hold back anything from Him.  He’s ok with our doubts and fears and frustrations.

I’m super excited to see how God reveals himself to us through the discipline of spiritual journaling this year.

Because WON’T HE DO IT.

Journaling Prompts for January

I know I’m a little late this month, but I’m going to go ahead and drop a few questions here – feel free to use them for the new few weeks.  I’ll have a new batch ready for February.

As we head into not only a new year but a new decade, let’s explore the directions we feel God leading us in.

• What old attitudes or habits do I feel God challenging in my life?
• What promises of God do I need to claim this month?  This year?
• How can I be more focused on Him this year?  What distractions are keeping me from spending time in relationship with Christ?

Want to join in? Leave a comment and let me know!  Let’s do this together!