The picture above represents twelve prayer journals that I wrote in over a span of five plus years. On February 28, 2022, I burned them all.
Yes, you read that right.
I had been contemplating whether I should keep them for a good while. They represented some very hard times when I poured out my heart to God and requested deliverance from people who were wreaking havoc in my life, mentally and spiritually. At first it was a cry for help.
Then the anger and bitterness set in.
So what I burned up last Monday, was years of anger and bitterness. I knew it was the right time. I felt nothing but freedom and peace. No regrets.
I don’t know what you write in your prayer journals. A friend of mine mentioned she writes down what she is thankful for. I think that’s a great idea!
For myself, I have decided I will no longer keep a prayer journal. I will talk to God immediately about any problems I am having, read scripture for the answers, and continue to pray without ceasing. I harbored a fear… if someone asked me to pray for them, I would not remember if I’d prayed unless I wrote it down. Now, if someone asks me to pray, I pray immediately so I don’t have to rely on a faulty memory.
I love to write, so thankfully for me, my daughter shared an alternative last week that she had found.
Is the Lord’s timing perfect or what?
Christian Book Distributors has a free Scripture Writing Challenge. You write out one verse of scripture a day for a year. Here is the PDF for the resource:
https://janehgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Scripture_Writing_Challenge_FINAL-1.pdf
I started today.
Now, as I’m writing this post, I enjoy the sweetness of God thinking about me. (See today’s scripture above.) In writing out a verse a day, I am being led to learn more scriptures and their location in the Bible.
For the people that may continue to cause issues for me, the Psalms are full of scriptures to pray:
“Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war.” Psalm 140:1-2 (With a few changes in wording, this is a great prayer to pray for Ukraine’s people)
“Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.” Psalm 140:4
“I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.” Psalm 140:12
“O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” Psalm 7:1
“O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Psalm 7: 9-11
{Here is a prayer that goes with this scripture: Lord, your word tells me that you are “angry with the wicked every day.” Therefore, I will rest in your care for me, my friends, my inherited family, and my church family. I know you are thinking of me because Psalm 139 tells me that. I have total faith you can take care of the wicked and I am grateful that you are in control, and I am not. I put my trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen}
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 [Most versions, other than King James, do not have the second part: “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” I think it is important to note, if you want God on your side, you need to not be living in your flesh (another word for sinning), but be going through life with the Holy Spirit guiding your every move.]
And all those scriptures/prayers are already written out for me. I just have to pray them:)
What is your favorite verse to pray when you are experiencing trouble in life?
Jane,
I’m glad the act of burning your prayer journals resulted in setting you free. Sometimes we hold on to things way too long. It sounds as if your timing was perfect. I love praying the scriptures over my situations. The Psalms are my go-to book for prayers. Such moving, powerful words are found there. For just about any occasion. Thanks for sharing this great resource with us. Looking into that now.
Blessings!
Debbie
Thanks Debbie, Yes, we do hold on too long to offenses. And you are right, the Psalms is a perfect place to go for prayers. Thank you for that reminder. I hope you enjoy the scripture challenge. You can print it out from the link in the post. Loved all your comments – Jane
Thanks for making me think, Jane! I have dozens of Bible Studies, journals, and letters that I keep in a box or locked in a filing cabinet. Why am I hanging on to them? When I tell myself it’s to reflect on how far God has brought me, too often instead I focus on the angsts written and recorded in them.
When I was younger and newly married, I did do as you did with my college journals. Oh the stories written there! But at that stage of my life, I let them go. It was so hard because they were such a huge part of me. My secrets, my plans, hopes, dreams. Failures. Rejections. Shame.
Thank you for sharing your accomplishment and it truly is a win, Jane. God tells us to look to Him. This is a tremendous reminder to do so.
Stefanie,
Thanks for sharing your heart! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one that hangs on to this stuff. Now, Im glad it’s gone:) You were able to let yours go at an earlier age. That showed wisdom and courage. I keep reminding myself of the verses in Philippians 3: 13-14 that says to forget the past and press on to reach the end of the race. I’m running now toward the heavenly prize of a stronger relationship with God with nothing in between us. Thanks for all your encouragement! – Jane
Thank you Jane! Great post. I like Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Thanks Tim, I have that marked in one of my Bible’s as my “life verse.” Of course, if you look at another Bible I own, there is probably a different life verse marked. I can never settle on one… they’re all too good:)
Thank you for sharing, Jane. I actually write down at least one verse each day from the books I read during my quiet time (as well as a gratitude list).
Wow Joni, Then you have been doing the scripture challenge for years. I think that is so admirable to have a verse and the gratitude list. Then it actually becomes a journal of praise instead of negative thoughts like I had. You are an inspiring witness to me in so many areas of my life. I am grateful! -Jane