Ever finish praying and wonder if God heard you? Journaling transforms monologue into dialogue—a written record of God’s faithfulness you can hold in your hands.
1. Thankfulness Journal
Amanda Rowett, LMHC, writes, “Expressing thankfulness in the midst of our problems is a powerful way to change our perspective and shift our mood. Thankfulness helps our hearts to see God’s goodness and faithfulness.”
For ten years, I listed three daily blessings. A student’s gratitude. A book that made me laugh. My niece’s hug.
Anyone can complain. Learning to find reasons for gratitude—even in hard seasons—transformed my attitude. I stopped focusing on what was wrong and noticed what was right.
Take my job. I worked as an elementary assistant teacher and mostly enjoyed it—except one year when my supervising teacher lacked classroom management. Kids ran wild. Occasionally they showed sweetness, and I recorded those moments.
If you do this for a year you’ll have over 1,000 blessings. It takes five minutes a daily.
Even on bad days, I find three reasons to be thankful. This keeps me joyful in the Lord. Yet while listing blessings builds appreciation, sometimes gratitude alone isn’t enough. When my thoughts felt stuck at surface-level, I needed to go deeper—into conversation.
2. Talking with God
Sit somewhere cozy. Close your eyes. Imagine God sitting across from you, listening. Then, open your journal and begin writing to Him.
During my quiet time, I write prayers beginning with the date and “Dear God.” I have heart-to-hearts with God—sharing what’s on my mind, offering Him my worries. I often ask, “What are You teaching me through this?” Then I wait, pen in hand.
In noisy places, instrumental music helps me focus on God and what He wants to say.
Try this for a month, increasing your time with God daily. But what if even structured dialogue feels forced? When words won’t come or you’re censoring yourself, try releasing all restraint.
3. Writing Nonstop
Danny Profit Jr., a campus staff member with InterVarsity, recommends writing three pages to God without stopping. “That way, my entries would function as a stream of consciousness—a flow of writing like thinking freely without editing whatever comes to mind—raw and unfiltered—rather than well-thought-out sentences on a page.”
At first, he noticed no change. Eventually, he became more honest with God. His journaling became joyful—or painful—but real. No longer a chore, it became an encounter.
Intrigued, I tried it myself. I wrote three pages each morning for a month. Initially, I filled pages randomly. Then God spoke through what I was writing. I highlighted the loving things He said. For example, I understood I had endured mistreatment at certain jobs to develop empathy for others. Writing three pages brought focus and clarity. God showed me His direction for each day.
Writing nonstop draws us near when words won’t come. Once I learned to write freely, I was ready for the opposite approach: slowing down, focusing inward, letting one verse sink deep.
4. Meditative Journaling
The Bible is living and active. Reading a single passage repeatedly brings meaning to your life.
Stefanie Gass suggests: “Find a scripture that speaks to you. Write it down in your journal. Read it aloud. Meditate on it. Then journal what it means to you.”
What verse speaks to your life right now?
For me, it’s Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
This verse comforts me. The Lord is with me wherever I go. He wants us to tell the world about Him. I took an evangelism course through my church and practiced sharing the gospel.
Life throws us moments demanding instant courage—a friend asks about our faith, we face a hard decision, we’re scared. If we’ve meditated on Joshua 1:9 for weeks, writing it until it’s memorized, that verse rises up when needed. On mission trips, I shared boldly because Joshua 1:9 wasn’t just written in my journal—it was written on my heart.
Try this for a month with passages you love and deepen your connection to God’s Living Word.
Conclusion
If you haven’t counted your blessings yet, start there. Once you’ve established that habit and want more, have heart-to-hearts with God in your journal. If you need a breakthrough, write three pages nonstop for a month. When you’re ready to slow down and dwell, meditate on a verse that speaks to you. Let me know which approach works for you.
Sources and References:
“Encountering God through Journaling.” Everett Christian Counseling, https://everettchristiancounseling.com/encountering-god-through-journaling/.
“Joshua 1:9 (NIV).” Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201%3A9&version=NIV.
“How Journaling Saved My Relationship with God.” InterVarsity, https://intervarsity.org/blog/how-journaling-saved-my-relationship-god.
Gass, Stefanie. “4 Types of Journaling to Help You Connect with and Hear from God.” Stefanie Gass, https://stefaniegass.com/4-types-of-journaling-to-help-you-connect-with-and-hear-from-god/.