On Private Prayer
How intentional prayer will change your life
When most people picture prayer, they likely envision someone kneeling by their bedside, hands folded, perhaps just before sleeping. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this—praise God prayer is happening—I have found a more enriching way to commune with God, one that keeps me focused and prevents me from repeatedly saying the same thing about the same thing.
I am talking about devotional prayer: setting aside time, secluded from the world, for uninterrupted conversation with God. My method is not particularly complex or even novel, but it requires a few tools: a notebook, a pen, and a Bible.
The Practice
My practice of prayer takes place at my desk, either at home or at work, wherever I can find complete silence. Silence serves the practical purpose of allowing me to focus. I could pray with noise around, but I would be more tempted to let my mind wander. It is about creating an environment conducive to concentrated thought and writing. There is also an element of reverence considering this is a time where I come before the God of the universe.
I begin by selecting a passage of Scripture, usually from Psalms or Proverbs, and reading through no more than a chapter.1 Here, I read with the intention of being in the word of God. Then, I write the date and Scripture reference at the top of the page so I have some way of looking back at my thoughts in time and what I was reading.
As I read through the passage for the second time, I allow my mind to be drawn to areas of my life or the lives of others that need prayer. If something comes to mind, I use the phrasing of Scripture as a springboard to frame my petitions to God. I often start with praise and worship, acknowledging God for who He is in all of His majesty and righteousness. Then, I move into confessing my sins, asking for guidance in decisions, interceding for others, and anything else that comes to mind.
This simple act slows down my thinking, forcing me to confront any disparities between my thoughts and the truth of Scripture.
The crucial element in all of this is that I write my prayers. I don’t pray aloud or silently in my mind; I write. This simple act slows down my thinking, forcing me to confront any disparities between my thoughts and the truth of Scripture. This invariably leads to conviction, confession, and repentance. Praying in this way causes it to become a genuine conversation with God as if I were speaking with my closest friend—because I am!
This practice was heavily influenced by Dr. Donald Whitney’s book Praying the Bible. This small but powerful book provides a framework to help you select and use Scripture as the basis for prayer, grounding it in truth and preventing mindless wandering. The writing aspect initially began as a way to practice my cursive and improve my handwriting, but it has since become an integral part of the process, allowing me to keep a record of my prayers and mindset.
The Impact
Over the last few years, I have noticed a significant difference in my life when I am consistent with this prayer journal method. My attitude and thoughts are better, and I am less bothered by circumstances that would typically cause me anxiety or frustration. This practice has also had tangible effects on my relationships, especially with my wife. When I am consistent in prayer, I am a better husband. It acts as a chemical buffer in a solution that prevents a change its pH,2 alleviating frustrations that might otherwise spill over into my home life. In this process, I have learned that Jesus remains faithful; it is I who change, not Him. This method has fostered a deeper sense of trust and stability in my relationship with Him.
I have learned that Jesus remains faithful; it is I who change, not Him.
While journaling my prayers, I intentionally write two other things at the beginning and end of the page. First, I write “Father in Heaven” in as ornate a script as I can muster.3 This reminds me of His position—both in location and in authority—as my Father. After I have worked through the text, I always sign off as “Your Servant,” a reminder of my place before Him.4 During this time, I feel sincere gratitude and elation as I genuinely converse with God.
My practice has changed over time only in a growing willingness to write my deepest thoughts, fears, and sins. Initially, I was hesitant, not wanting to confront these things or risk others stumbling upon my journals and seeing the sinful man I am. But I have come to recognize the immensity of God’s grace in my justification and ongoing sanctification, and my journal has become a treasure record of that process.
For the Ploughman
The biggest misconception about prayer is that it is a boring chore or duty. This could not be further from the truth. The problem is that many have never experienced the life-giving nature of true communion with God. Prayer is one of the most cathartic and cleansing experiences when done for yourself and one of the most caring when done for others.
If I could offer two pieces of advice to someone feeling discontented with "traditional" prayer and seeking a deeper connection with God, it would be this:
Read Dr. Whitney’s Praying the Bible and practice its principles immediately.5
It is a short, accessible book that can be read in an afternoon. Decision fatigue will not factor into your Scripture choices because Dr. Whitney lays it out for you. At the time of writing, it costs only a few dollars.
Begin journaling your prayers as I do.
Your tangible record of your petitions to God will help you see how you change—or how God changes you from the inside out—and remind you of the faithful loving kindness God demonstrates toward us.
The essence of my prayer life can be summed up in the words of Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” This verse serves as a constant reminder of what it means to live the Christian life. We are promised tribulation because the world hates us, but we are also promised the return of Christ, in whom we hope. All that we can do is be constant in prayer.
Until next time, keep your hand on the plow and break up the fallow ground!
If you appreciate my work but do not want to subscribe, I would invite you to consider my Buy Me a Coffee page, where you can make one-time donations.
If I read outside of the Psalms and Proverbs, especially in narrative, I may read more.
pH is a measurement that determines whether a solution is an acid, neutral, or basic.
Remember, I started the prayer journal to practice my cursive, and now I have expanded to calligraphy to show reverence in addressing God, similar to how people wear the best clothes on Sundays to show respect for God.
I indirectly acknowledge my status as a son of God in how I begin my prayer (e.g., Father in Heaven), and I revel in the fact that I am His child through adoption. I choose to identify myself in this time of prayer as His servant because I am a prideful person. This functions as a subtle reminder not to let my election and adoption go to my head.
This link here and earlier are affiliate links.
Thanks for this, Levi.
I'm one of the people you describe at the beginning of this piece - every morning I kneel beside my bed, make the sign of the Cross, and say my daily prayers.
Consistency is a powerful thing. Consistent prayer taught me that praying to ask is going about things the wrong way. Instead, prayers (for me) are always simple thanks and praise - everything has already been given, and the Lord has given me everything I need.
I like the idea of writing them down, though, and I'll implement this right away. My wife and I are expecting our first child soon, and I've begun writing him letters daily -- perhaps I'll integrate the two practices.
To echo Drew, I love the practicality here.
Love the practicality here! This practice is within reach of all of us.