The Word says that prayer changes things. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16) We as believers are made righteous through the blood of Jesus and the Bible says our prayers GET A WHOLE LOT DONE! It’s scriptural, y’all! So why aren’t we doing it?
How is your prayer life? Do you think little “Lord please…” prayers in your head throughout the day? (Like, “Lord please don’t let that crazy woman talk to me at work today.” Or “Lord please give me patience with these children you have given me.”) Do you lay in bed at night and run through a list in your head until you fall asleep (that used to be my norm.) Do you have a time set aside every day to talk to the Lord?
I will tell you that for MANY years I believe I misunderstood prayer. I would pray, almost always, silently to myself, and almost always asking for things. Now, don’t misunderstand what I am saying. There is nothing wrong with silent prayer or asking the Lord for what you need. He tells us to ask. But when I began to make time to take myself away from the noise and busyness of the day, and pray OUT LOUD (out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Matthew 12:34) and take the time during my prayers to praise and give thanks – my prayer life changed dramatically. 
I craved time with the Father. When I got up from my prayer closet I felt peaceful and I felt like I KNEW who I was in Christ. I began to see more answers to my petitions and I began to see more ways (specific ways) that I could lift up people and situations while I was praying. It was empowering and grounding to spend time with my Heavenly Father!
Having things written down and in front of me is a big helper for me (in many areas of my life) so I started a prayer notebook. It had lists of situations and people I wanted to lift up in prayer. It also had some scriptures, thanksgiving, and other things in it. It was helpful to me. (If something like this is interesting to you, there are LOTS of pins on Pinterest that will give you ideas on creating prayer notebooks and journals.)
This past Spring, my sweet sister gifted me a prayer journal for my birthday. Y’all, I LOVE THIS THING. It is from Val Marie Paper (You can take a look at Val Marie Paper, if you are interested.) I confess, when my sister sent it to me, I took a cursory look at it and laid it beside my bed. My life was so crazy at that moment, it was months before I picked it up again. But when I got a good look at it and started filling it out – WOWZER!
Now, let me give you this disclaimer: I love lists. And I love planners. I am not always organized, but I am always trying to be. If you don’t love lists, or at least appreciate their usefulness, this may not be a product for you. But I have to tell y’all, this thing is awesome!
Val has a small 6-month journal that you can start with if you like. That is what my sister sent me. You can fill in the months (they are not preprinted), so if you miss a month, it’s no big deal. Val has a video (it is rather lengthy) showing you how to use the journal and giving ideas if you are interested. However, if videos are not your thing, the journal is pretty self-explanatory. Val also has a yearly spiral bound prayer journal that comes with a storage box, preprinted months, and some other goodies. The pre-order for that begins in August. (And I have already ordered mine for 2020! I’m so excited!)
Maybe you are in the place I was in, and a little bit lost when it comes to your prayer life. Or maybe you are just trying to be a bit more intentional or organized with your prayer or quiet time. If any of this applies to you, I highly recommend a prayer journal or notebook of some kind. Not only are they helpful with keeping you on track when you pray, but they offer wonderful encouragement when you are able to look back and see where prayers have been answered! I am not saying I am perfect, or even always consistent with this. Life happens, and I am that Christian that needs grace. But now that I know what it feels like to have a real connection with my Creator, when I falter, I miss that relationship, and He pulls me back.
James 5:16 ESV Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
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