105 prayer journal prompts to help you talk to God

How to use these prayer journal prompts

You do not need to answer every prompt. Pick one that matches how you feel today, read it slowly, and then write to God the way you would talk to a close friend. Two honest sentences are enough.

• Start with a short Bible reading. A psalm or a few verses gets your mind on God before you write.
• Write to Him, not about Him. Use "You" instead of "God" and the page turns into a real prayer.
• Date every entry. Later you will want to see when you prayed and when the answer came.
• Leave room for answers. Mark answered prayers in the margin, or keep them on the prayer journal template.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Philippians 4:6 KJV

Prompts for praise and worship

1. Write down three things about God's character that you saw in your life this week.Write
2. Which name of God means the most to you right now, and why? Shepherd, Father, Healer, Provider?Write
3. Describe something in nature you noticed today and praise God for making it.Write
4. Write a short psalm of your own. Start every line with "You are..."Write
5. When did you last feel God was close? Thank Him for that moment in detail.Write
6. Praise God for one thing that has not changed in your life, even when everything else did.Write
7. Read Psalm 103 and write your own list of His benefits to you.Write
8. What would you tell a friend about who God is, in just five sentences? Say it to Him instead.Write
9. Praise God for a promise He kept that you almost forgot about.Write
10. Write about a song that helps you worship. What line in it is true for you today?Write
11. Thank God for who He is, not for what He gives. What is left on the list?Write
12. Picture heaven for a moment. What are you most looking forward to telling Jesus?Write

Prompts for gratitude and thanks

1. Name one small thing from today you would have missed if you were not paying attention.Write
2. Who has God put in your life this year that you did not expect? Thank Him for them by name.Write
3. Write about a meal, a bed, or a roof you are grateful for tonight.Write
4. Thank God for a hard thing that taught you something good.Write
5. List five answered prayers you can remember from any year of your life.Write
6. What do you have today that you once prayed for?Write
7. Thank God for something your body did today, like walking, hugging, or healing.Write
8. Write a thank you prayer for your church or a believer who helped you grow.Write
9. Thank God for a door He closed. How did it protect you?Write
10. What made you smile this week? Tell God about it as if He were there. He was.Write
11. Thank Him for the gift of His Word. Which verse has carried you the most?Write
12. End today with ten quick thank yous, one line each.Write

Prompts for confession and a clean heart

1. Is there something you said this week that you wish you could take back? Bring it to God.Write
2. Where have you been trusting yourself more than Him lately?Write
3. Ask God to search your heart. Write down whatever comes to mind, without excuses.Write
4. Who do you need to forgive? Write their name and ask for help to let it go.Write
5. What habit is pulling you away from God? Name it plainly.Write
6. Write about a time you felt guilty for a long time. Thank God that His mercy is new every morning.Write
7. Where has pride shown up in your week? At work, at home, online?Write
8. Is there someone you need to say sorry to? Ask God for the right words and the right time.Write
9. What does it feel like to be fully forgiven? Write it out slowly.Write
10. Write a prayer asking God to make your heart soft again in one area where it has gone hard.Write
11. Which of your thoughts this week would you not want read out loud? Give them to God.Write

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 KJV

Prompts for worry, fear and hard days

1. Write down everything you are worried about. Then next to each one, write "I give this to You."Write
2. What is the worst thing you fear could happen? Tell God about it honestly.Write
3. Where do you feel alone right now? Ask God to show you He is with you there.Write
4. Write a prayer for strength to get through tomorrow, just tomorrow.Write
5. What do you need from God today? Rest, money, peace, courage, a friend? Ask Him plainly.Write
6. Tell God what you are angry about. He can handle your honest words.Write
7. Write about a past storm God brought you through. What does that tell you about this one?Write
8. What would you do today if you were not afraid? Ask God for the courage to take one step.Write
9. Pray for your mind. Which thoughts keep looping, and what true thing can you replace them with?Write
10. Write a prayer for your sleep tonight.Write
11. Where are you waiting on God? Tell Him how the waiting feels.Write
12. If you are grieving, write a letter to God about the person or thing you lost.Write
13. Finish this sentence ten times: "Even if... You are still..."Write

Prompts for praying for others

1. Write a prayer for each person in your home by name, with one specific need each.Write
2. Who is sick or hurting right now? Pray for their body, their mind and their faith.Write
3. Pray for a friend who does not know Jesus. What do you hope God does in their life?Write
4. Write a prayer for your pastor and church leaders this week.Write
5. Pray for someone who hurt you. Ask God to bless them, even if it is hard to write.Write
6. Who is lonely in your life? Pray for them, and ask God if you should call them.Write
7. Pray for your neighbors, the ones you know and the ones you only wave to.Write
8. Pray for your city, your leaders and your country. Name a real problem and ask for help.Write
9. Pray for a missionary or a believer in a country where faith is hard.Write
10. Write a prayer for the children in your family or church.Write
11. Pray for someone who is grieving this season, like a widow or a family that lost a child.Write
12. Who has prayed for you? Pray for them today.Write

For a page that is only about one person, try a prayer journal for your husband, a prayer journal for your children, or a prayer journal for your future husband.

Prompts for guidance and decisions

1. What decision is in front of you? Write out both choices and ask God for wisdom on each.Write
2. Where do you sense God may be leading you, even a little?Write
3. Ask God what He wants you to do with this week. Write what comes to mind.Write
4. What would it look like to trust God with your money this month?Write
5. Is there a gift or talent God gave you that you are not using? Ask Him how to use it.Write
6. Write a prayer for your work or studies. What do you need help with there?Write
7. Ask God which relationship He wants you to put more time into.Write
8. What are you holding onto that God may be asking you to open your hand about?Write
9. Write about a time you felt God leading you clearly. What did it feel like?Write
10. Pray Proverbs 3:5-6 over a specific plan you have right now.Write
11. If you knew God was saying yes, what would you do next? If He was saying wait?Write

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

Prompts from Scripture

These prompts start with a passage. Read it first, then write. For more ideas, see Bible journal prompts.

1. Read Psalm 23. Which line do you need most today, and why?Write
2. Read Matthew 6:9-13. Rewrite the Lord's Prayer in your own words.Write
3. Read Psalm 139:1-14. What does it mean to you that God knows you this well?Write
4. Read Isaiah 40:28-31. Where are you tired, and what do you need to wait on God for?Write
5. Read John 15:1-5. What does staying close to Jesus look like in your normal day?Write
6. Read Romans 8:28. Write about something hard that you are asking God to use for good.Write
7. Read Matthew 11:28-30. What burden can you hand to Jesus today?Write
8. Read Psalm 46. What is shaking around you, and where is God in it?Write
9. Read Lamentations 3:22-23. What mercy did you see this morning?Write
10. Read Galatians 5:22-23. Which fruit of the Spirit do you want to grow in, and how?Write
11. Read Philippians 4:4-8. Make a list of things that are true, lovely and good in your life.Write
12. Read Luke 15:11-24. Where do you see yourself in the story?Write

Prayer journal prompts for women

These prompts were written with women in mind, from moms and wives to single women and busy workers. They work for anyone.

1. Where do you feel stretched thin right now? Ask God for rest and help.Write
2. Write a prayer about how you see yourself. Then write what God says about you.Write
3. Pray for the women in your life: your mother, sisters, friends and daughters.Write
4. What are you trying to control that you need to give back to God?Write
5. Write a prayer for your home and the people who walk through its door.Write
6. Where do you compare yourself to other women? Ask God to replace it with contentment.Write
7. What dream have you set aside? Bring it to God honestly.Write
8. Pray for your friendships. Which one needs care, and which one needs boundaries?Write
9. Write a prayer for your body and your health this season.Write
10. What does a quiet heart look like for you? Ask God to grow it in you.Write
11. Write about a woman in the Bible you relate to and why.Write
12. Thank God for one way He has made you strong.Write
13. Pray for the woman you will be ten years from now.Write
14. Ask God to show you one person you can encourage this week, and write her name.Write
15. Write a prayer of rest. No requests, just being with Him.Write

If you would like a guided year of prayer on your phone, the Prayer Journal for Women Android app gives you a Bible verse, a short reflection and a prayer page each week, plus a prayer list with a Pray now button. It is coming soon on Google Play, with no ads and no account.

Prompts for answered prayers and remembering

1. Read an old journal page. Which prayers has God answered since then?Write
2. Write about a prayer God answered with no. How do you see it now?Write
3. Which prayer are you still waiting on? Tell God how long it has been and how you feel.Write
4. Write the story of one answered prayer so your children or friends could read it someday.Write
5. What has God done in your life this year that you want to remember forever?Write
6. Make a list of times God provided exactly what you needed, right on time.Write
7. Write a thank you prayer for an answer that came in a way you did not expect.Write

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalm 77:11 KJV

Tips for writing better prayers

• Use one prompt a day. Too many at once turns prayer into homework.
• Be specific. "Help Sam find a job near home by spring" is easier to watch God answer than "bless Sam."
• Pray the same prompt again later. Your answer in six months may surprise you.
• Keep a running list. Move names and needs onto a list you see often. Our prayer journal ideas show a few simple layouts.
• Look back each month. Read old pages and write down how God answered, even when the answer was no or not yet.
• Do not worry about pretty words. God reads the heart. Messy handwriting and short lines are fine.

Questions people ask