What is a Prayer Notebook?

At our ladies retreat this spring, we made prayer

notebooks.  This particular format was inspired by looking at a variety of ones shown on Youtube.  It is a tool that God can use in helping you develop a more intimate relationship with Him through prayer. 

 

This is your notebook, modify these directions as desired.  They are just guidelines to get you started.

How to make a prayer notebook:  

 

Supplies needed:  binder, 9 tab dividers, paper,  paper clips, index cards.  (We used the half size binder which holds  5 1/2" X 8 1/2 " paper.) 

1.      Cover – If you get a clear view binder you can design your own insert into the cover.

        (If you would like this design, leave a comment and I can email you the image.)

2.      Label tabs and insert in to binder:  Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, Requests, Sunday, Mon-Tues (we used 1 tab for 2 days), Wed-Th, Fri-Sat, Listening  (Adhesive tabs can substituted for the days of the week in place of the tab dividers.)

3.      Insert tab dividers into binder.

4.      On the backside of each divider, paperclip the corresponding index card on which you have written notes pertaining to each category.  They are:

PRAISE:  Praise God for who He is:
         -based on scripture you have just read
         -using names & attributes list
         -songs and hymns
         -selected Psalms
 
CONFESSION: 
      -from Bible reading
      -from sermons or Bible studies
      -other promptings from the Holy Spirit

THANKSGIVING:  What has God done?
      -answers to prayer
      -daily gifts of grace
      -God’s timing and/or intervention

REQUESTS: 
      -write “Daily” on an index card and write names of those for whom you wish to pray daily, clip to back of tab divider.
      -if you are using small adhesive tabs for the days of the week  (you can use 1 tab for 2 days, ie. Mon-Tues), adhere each to a separate page.
    -On the back side of the first page in each section for the day of the week, make a list  of whom you will pray for that day.  If your tab is for two days you can make 2 columns of names.  (This will be the left half of 2 facing pages.)  On the right half put any specific requests you may have for these people. 
     -If you have a prayer partner you may want to make a tab specifically for her.
     -we inserted here handouts related to praying for our husband and  praying scripture

LISTENING:  What God has said to me through:
      -reading the Bible
      -sermons
      -Bible studies or books
      -life lessons learned
      -prayer

 

      5.  Insert paper in each section

Tip:  you may want to add a notepad in the front flap of your notebook to jot down any random thoughts that come to you during your prayer time so you can attend to it later and prevent distractions from taking you away from your prayer time.
    
This notebook can help transform you prayer life only if it is used.  It is a tool to guide you into delight, not a slave to drive you into duty.  

 

 

 

 

Prayer of Jacob

     The prayer of Jacob in Genesis 32:9-12 is rarely highlighted in a study of the prayers of the Bible, but it is a beautiful prayer, worthy of pondering.
      9 Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,’ ¹⁰ I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies. ¹¹ Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. ¹² For You said, ‘I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is too great to be numbered.’

     What words indicate Jacob's praise of God?  How well do you know God and His words to you so that praise freely flows from your lips.  When we really see who God is, it humbles us and we see who we really are - His servants.  What is implied in the role of us being a servant? Where do you see a heart of gratefulness in Jacob's words? 
     Jacob honestly admits his fear and anxiety as he anticipates meeting Esau after living far away with his uncle Laban for many years.  He left home, fleeing for his life because of Esau's anger over Jacob's deceitful scheme to obtain their father's blessing.  Now as nears home, he doesn't know what to expect.  His response is to pray, and his prayer includes thanksgiving.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God.  Phil 4:6  How quick are you to pray when you are fearful or anxious.  Does your prayer include thanksgiving?  Jacob then gives a specific request.  How specific are you when you pray?  How does Jacob end this prayer?  What promises of God can encourage you in the situations you are facing today?  Take a few minutes and ponder them.  Who do you know that you could encourage by sharing one or two with them?  It could make a big difference.  
     What else do you see in this prayer?  How does it challenge you?