Prayer Journal - Pros & Cons

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If you have a prayer journal or just if you write your diary entries to God, Mother Mary or Christ, what are advantages and disadvantages of this prayer style?
 
Con: it can be a bit self-absorbed, and a bit of a “let’s-see-how-many-insights-I-can-have-this-week” exercise. The focus could be more about producing a journal worth reading rather than truly lifting the heart and mind to God.
 
Pros:
When I write my prayer journal to dear Lord, I have no distraction. I put my thoughts on paper, and that is the only thought I have in my mind. There is no any other thought than the heart to heart talk in writing. Therefore, writing my prayer journal is a form of prayer both the Lord and I enjoy together.
 
LaetenturCaeli said:
Con: it can be a bit self-absorbed, and a bit of a “let’s-see-how-many-insights-I-can-have-this-week” exercise. The focus could be more about producing a journal worth reading rather than truly lifting the heart and mind to God.
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There are ways to journal effectively
 
I just have a journal… well, two journals actually – one digital, and one very small book I tuck into my purse.

I journal when there’s too much “noise” in my head, and usually it’s just me writing what I’m thinking until I’m not thinking it anymore. And usually, at some point, my thoughts get directed to Our Lord. That’s not the point of my journal – to write letters to God – but sometimes it just flows naturally in the moment.

Now that I think about it, I rarely ever go back and read anything I’ve ever written in my journals. I write to get things out of my brain, so when I’m done the last thing I want to do is go back and put that stuff back into my head!
 
Gertabelle said:
I just have a journal… well, two journals actually – one digital, and one very small book I tuck into my purse.

I journal when there’s too much “noise” in my head, and usually it’s just me writing what I’m thinking until I’m not thinking it anymore. And usually, at some point, my thoughts get directed to Our Lord. That’s not the point of my journal – to write letters to God – but sometimes it just flows naturally in the moment.

Now that I think about it, I rarely ever go back and read anything I’ve ever written in my journals. I write to get things out of my brain, so when I’m done the last thing I want to do is go back and put that stuff back into my head!
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I just pour out all my unfiltered thoughts to our Lord. Well he already knows what I really think anyways.
 
I have a prayer journal, but I rarely write in it. When I do, I mainly write what I have prayed for and whether it was answered. I’ll write down people that I need to pray for, too.
 
Graceful_Lamb said:
I have a prayer journal, but I rarely write in it. When I do, I mainly write what I have prayed for and whether it was answered. I’ll write down people that I need to pray for, too.
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Ok. Interesting. Maybe I should do a gratitude journal. After all, there is always something to smile about.
 
CRATUS said:
Ok. Interesting. Maybe I should do a gratitude journal. After all, there is always something to smile about.
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This is a wonderful idea!!

As far as keeping a prayer journal, I have kept one, on & off for the past several years. I find it to be especially helpful when I am having trouble with something in my spiritual life. Writing helps to keep me focused and it helps me to remember things that I should bring up with my spiritual director.
 
I keep two: one for prayer requests, and one for spiritual ruminations. The former is where I note everything I pray for. Almost everything in there is requested of me by others. I keep it by my side or in my lap while I pray.

The latter is used to organize the contents of my brain and soul, and to monitor my spiritual journey. I use this when consulting with my spiritual director so he can http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Pascal_S/smileys/smack.gif and/or http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Pascal_S/smileys/30.gif and/or http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Pascal_S/smileys/ohboy.gif at all the things I do wrong and everything I’m mistaken about. :o (I’m exaggerating a little - he is firm with me because I need and benefit from it, but he is never harsh, unreasonable or cruel.)

I do review old entries in the second journal from time to time in order to gauge progress, and it encourages me to see the evolution of my spirituality but one has to be careful not to obsess over it. I’m not the type who would in general. YMMV.

From a practical point of view, the only disadvantage I can think of for the second type of journal is that it might fall into someone else’s hands. I would not want anyone reading my spiritual journal other than me or my SD. At home, I feel safe leaving the journal just lying around. I know The Husband isn’t going to peruse it, and it’s just us two living here. If I carry the journal with me - when I go on retreat, for example, which requires nearly four hours in transit, a tram ride, at least one change of train, and a spell in a taxi - I make sure to put it in a bag that never leaves my custody.
 
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