This activity is a type of prayer journaling that helps you express your specific needs to the Lord and recount the ways that he has answered prayer. While it can be done as part of a spiritual retreat, it is even better as a regular journaling practice.
Recording Specific Prayer and Specific Praise
You delivered me and answered my prayers
For this activity, you will need a journal and a few different colored pens or pencils.
In several different psalms the psalmist recounts how God had rescued them and answered their cries for help. First, choose one of the psalms below and spend some time meditating on it. Linger on how God answered prayer.
Then, reflect on the following questions: How have you seen God work in your life recently? How has he answered prayer? How has he provided? How has he guided? Has he helped you in trouble?
In your journal, record the specific prayers you have prayed, the ways you have seen God answer and provide, and how he has been leading and guiding your steps. For each of these, use a different color of pen or pencil. For example, you could use red for prayers prayed, green for answers, and blue for God’s leading and guidance. If you would like to integrate the idea of a thankful journal into this activity, add an additional color for recording the good gifts that you see God giving day by day.
Alternatively, if you already have the habit of journaling, skim through your journal for these components and underline them with different colors. If you come across a specific prayer that you prayed and you have seen its answer, write the answer in the margin or in between your lines of journaling.
Consider making this type of journaling a regular practice: recording specific prayer and specific answers in different colors. As you do, with successive months you will see the daily faithfulness of God – something we often forget or overlook.
18 – The Lord heard my voice and came to my rescue.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer
30 – Joy in God’s restoration and healing.
You have turned my morning into dancing
40 – A testimony of God’s answer and deliverance.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction…
And set my feet upon a rock
116 – Love for the one who saved my life.
He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.
118 – Thanks to the Lord who is my help and refuge.
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?