Prayer journal for teens: 78 honest prompts

How to use a prayer journal as a teen

Prayer does not need fancy words. God wants the real you, including the doubts, the bad days and the questions. Writing helps you slow down and actually say what you mean.

• Pick one prompt. Tap Write and it lands on your page above.
• Write like you text a close friend. Short, honest, no filters.
• Add a verse when you can. Read a few verses first, even just one psalm.
• Keep track of answers. When something changes, go back and write what happened.
• It is private. Your page saves on this device only. No account, no one else sees it.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

Prompts about identity and who you are

1. What do you think God sees when He looks at you? Now write what you see.Write
2. Where do you feel pressure to be someone you are not?Write
3. What is one thing about yourself you wish you could change? Talk to God about it.Write
4. Read Psalm 139:13-16. Write a prayer about being made on purpose.Write
5. What does your social media say about you? Is it the real you?Write
6. Where do you feel most like the person God made you to be?Write
7. What gifts or talents has God given you? Thank Him for them.Write
8. Who do you compare yourself to the most? Ask God to help you let it go.Write
9. Write about a time you felt really seen or understood.Write
10. What would change if you believed God was proud of you?Write
11. Ask God to show you one true thing about yourself this week.Write
12. What is a lie you believe about yourself? Write what God says instead.Write

Prompts about friends and relationships

1. Who are your closest friends right now? Pray for each of them by name.Write
2. Is there a friendship that is hurting you? Ask God what to do.Write
3. Do you feel left out of anything right now? Tell God how it feels.Write
4. Who at school seems lonely? Ask God how you could be kind to them.Write
5. What kind of friend do you want to be?Write
6. Is there drama you are caught in? Ask for wisdom and a calm heart.Write
7. If you have a crush or are dating, talk to God honestly about it.Write
8. What do you want in a future relationship? Ask God to guide you.Write
9. Pray for a friend who does not know Jesus.Write
10. Is there someone you need to forgive? Write about it.Write
11. Thank God for a friend who has been there for you.Write

Prompts about family

1. What is going on at home right now? Tell God everything.Write
2. Pray for your mom, dad or guardian by name.Write
3. Is there tension with a parent? Ask God to help you understand each other.Write
4. Pray for your brothers or sisters. What are they going through?Write
5. What is something you appreciate about your family that you never say?Write
6. Ask God to help you respect your parents even when you disagree.Write
7. If your home is hard, tell God what you need most.Write
8. Write a prayer for your grandparents or extended family.Write
9. What is one way you could make home a little better this week?Write
10. Thank God for a good memory with your family.Write

Prompts about school and the future

1. What test, project or class is stressing you out? Give it to God.Write
2. Ask God for focus and a good attitude at school this week.Write
3. What do you hope to do after high school? Talk to God about it.Write
4. Are you afraid of failing at something? Write about it honestly.Write
5. Pray for your teachers and coaches by name.Write
6. What decision is coming up that you need wisdom for?Write
7. Ask God what He might want you to do with your life.Write
8. Write about a time you worked hard and God helped you.Write
9. Is there a sport, club or job you want? Ask God about it.Write
10. Ask God to help you do your best without making grades your identity.Write
11. What would you try if you were not scared of what people think?Write

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Prompts for anxiety, stress and hard days

1. What are the top three things you are worried about? Give each one to God.Write
2. What thoughts keep you up at night? Write them down and pray over them.Write
3. Where do you feel the most pressure right now?Write
4. Tell God what a bad day feels like for you.Write
5. What helps you calm down? Thank God for it.Write
6. Read Matthew 11:28. What do you need rest from?Write
7. Is your phone making you feel worse? Ask God for help with it.Write
8. Write about a hard time God already brought you through.Write
9. What would you say to a friend feeling what you feel? Say it to yourself.Write
10. Ask God to give you peace before you fall asleep tonight.Write
11. Is there anyone you can talk to about this? Pray for the courage to reach out.Write

Prompts about faith and doubts

1. What is a question you have about God that you have never asked?Write
2. Do you believe because of your parents, or because you have met God yourself?Write
3. Write about a time God felt real to you.Write
4. When does God feel far away? Tell Him honestly.Write
5. What is a Bible story you want to understand better?Write
6. What does following Jesus look like at your school?Write
7. Is there a sin you keep struggling with? Talk to God about it and ask for help.Write
8. Thank Jesus for one thing He did for you.Write
9. What does church feel like for you right now? Be honest.Write
10. Ask God to make your faith your own.Write
11. Pray for your youth group or youth leader.Write

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 KJV

Prayer journal prompts for teen girls

These prompts were written with teen girls in mind, but anyone can use them.

1. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Ask God to help you see what He sees.Write
2. Where do you feel pressure about how you look? Write about it.Write
3. Who are the women you look up to? Thank God for them.Write
4. Write a prayer for your future self at 25.Write
5. Is there a girl you are jealous of? Pray for her and for your own heart.Write
6. Ask God to help you set healthy boundaries with friends and guys.Write
7. What makes you feel strong? Thank God for it.Write
8. Write about a woman in the Bible you relate to.Write
9. Ask God to help you speak kindly about yourself and others.Write
10. Pray for the girls in your class, the popular ones and the quiet ones.Write
11. What dream do you want to bring to God?Write
12. Write a prayer of thanks for being exactly who He made you.Write

When you are older, the Prayer Journal for Women Android app offers a guided year of verses and prayers. For now, the journal prompts for teens and the diary for girls are great for everyday writing too.

Tips for keeping your prayer journal going

• Same time, same place. Right before bed or right after school works for a lot of teens.
• Set a small goal. Three sentences a day is a win.
• Do not wait to feel spiritual. Write anyway. Feelings often follow.
• Read old pages once a month. You will be surprised how much has changed.
• Try different formats. A prayer journal template with boxes, or a free letter to God. See more prayer journal ideas.

Questions people ask