Special Replay: How To Plan Your Prayer Time

Discover a simple, joy-filled framework to schedule daily prayer as Felice Gerwitz shares quiet-time tips in this CTC Math–sponsored episode.How To Plan Your Prayer Time #4

with Felice Gerwitz

Sponsored by CTC Math.

Do you know how to plan your prayer time? If you take the time to plan once – and the rest becomes automatic. Are you trying to form a new habit? A time – quiet time with just you and God? In this podcast Felice explains ways to make your time with God highly effective and it takes one very special ingredient. Are you ready to spend time with God, today? Are you spending time to plan spend time with God?

a few minutes with God

Show Notes: How To Plan Your Prayer Time

SO, what’s the plan? How are you setting up your prayer time with God?

  1. Do you have a special chair?
  2. Do you like to pray Indoors or outdoors?
  3. Up on your bed? (too comfy for me!)
  4. Can you set up a specific time?
  5. Little kids – early in the am or late at night? Nap time? – when kids got older they remembered how much nicer I was when I had my prayer time!!
  6. Role model – parents with their Bible’s open in common areas when their kids wake up!

Talking to the Lord

  1. Whether you are happy OR upset – bring that to the Lord – either way begin by praising HIM – use Scriptures such as … or you can use extemporaneous prayer – You are the Lord of Lords, you are the Almighty, the King of Kings – I praise you and I thank you, I thank you Lord for _____
  2. If you are a singer – sing! Praise God in song… allow yourself to think about the words – singing allows us to get into the presence of God –it lifts us…brings us joy.
  3. If you are not a singer – proclaim and praise God longer… don’t go to the Scriptures right now… If you want to proclaim certain scriptures get those out ahead of time and write them out – read from a journal rather than the Bible – right now our focus is to allow our minds to calm down and be in a place where we can pray and be still before the Lord – we want to listen but first we need to unload our baggage all the things on our mind – any emotions whether it is fear, anger, hatred – when do we stop? When we feel hope – joy – forgiveness – calm.
  4. Ask the Lord to come into your heart. If you have a prayer request you can ask it – if you just want to spend time with the Lord and be available to Him – just be still, close your eyes and listen.
  5. Give Him time – don’t expect anything – but you will be blessed whether you hear anything or not!!

Journal what you thought during your quiet time – is it random or is it specific? If it is confusing or chaotic – take it to the Lord – ask him for clarity. Typically, random or chaotic thoughts are not from the Lord unless it makes sense to you!

The Lord doesn’t bring us guilt or make us feel bad – I so love that!! God is a good God – He gives us HOPE

  1. NOW pull out your Bible – read through a passage or two that maybe came to mind during your quiet time, or perhaps something is drawing you to read a specific page.
  2. Journal if you want to add these passages.
  3. No end with praise and worship again – thank the Lord.

 

Journal How To

 Journal How To | The key to keeping a journal is how to be consistent. The missing ingredient is including praise with your prayer. #christianpodcast #podcast #howtojournalJournal – How-To

Episode 25

Journal – how to do it and keep it consistent is the emphasis of today’s podcast. Do you keep one in the traditional way or do you keep a journal as a tool to jump start your Christian walk?

Journaling is an amazing way to see the truth, answered prayers and your spiritual growth. There are many ways to journal and there is no definitive way, however, in this episode, we discuss ways to journal.

Thanks to our sponsor, Media Angels, Inc. A Few Minutes with God, The Journey Begins

a few minutes with God

How to get started:

You can pick up a book and start writing and that would be considered a journal, but I prefer this method which I will share with you.  I found that the way I set up my journal that the most impact on the way I was consistent or not. When you journal, make it personal.

You can find some very inexpensive books at the store. I found very inexpensive lined-paper, bound books for a few dollars with a hardcover that I prefer.

I set mine up with a combination of praises and prayer requests. It was a wonderful way to begin  and I felt that praising God and thanking him for all he had done for me!

It allowed me to ask Him in prayer without the fear that I had not been grateful for all the ways He has blessed me! I also wondered if God heard me, which was another reason I would write. In this way I felt I had a conversation going with the Lord.

How To:

  1. Purchase a small journal and keep it handy.
  2. Keep it with your Bible.
  3. Write on the cover or inside — make it your own.
  4. Divide your journal if you would like the way I did, in my explanation in this podcast, or…
  5. Just begin writing. It helps to put the date of your journal entry.
  6. Try to write in your journal every day.

 

I wanted to praise God before I prayed. I felt that I wasn’t being thankful.

Heartfelt Reflections: 20 Cathlolic Bible Journaling Prompts

Bible journaling is a reflective practice where individuals write their thoughts and prayers about Bible passages, helping them to understand and apply God's words to their lives. This method is particularly enriching for Catholics, as it allows them to deepen their spiritual connection and better understand the Church's teachings alongside Scripture.If you’ve been fascinated by the journaling Bibles and the concept and practice of Bible journaling, this brief overview and 20 journaling prompts to get you started can be your first steps.

What is Bible Journaling?

Bible journaling is a special way to spend time reading the Bible and thinking deeply about what it says. When you journal, you write down your thoughts, feelings, and prayers about the Bible verses you read. This helps you understand them better and see how they fit into your life. It’s like having a conversation with God on paper! You can use a notebook or even draw pictures if that helps you express yourself. Whether you’re looking for comfort, guidance, or just want to grow closer to God, Bible journaling can be a wonderful and fulfilling practice.

How Do Catholics View the Bible?

Catholics see the Bible as a very sacred book that is the word of God. They believe it was written by people who were inspired by the Holy Spirit, which means that while humans wrote the words, the messages came from God. This makes the Bible very important in the Catholic faith. It is used for prayer, learning about God, and guiding how to live a good life. Catholics also believe that the Bible should be read with the help of the Church’s teachings, because the Church helps to explain and understand the deeper meanings of the scriptures. This way, everyone can be sure they are following the teachings correctly and fully.

How Can Catholics Practice Bible Journaling?

Bible journaling can be a meaningful practice for Catholics to connect more deeply with God’s word. By reading the Bible and then writing down their thoughts, Catholics can explore how the scriptures relate to their own lives, guided by the Holy Spirit. This practice also allows them to reflect on the teachings of the Church and understand how these teachings apply to their daily actions and decisions. Journaling can become a personal space where Catholics engage with the Bible in a prayerful way, seeking wisdom, comfort, and guidance. It’s a powerful tool that not only enhances personal understanding but also strengthens their relationship with God and the community of the Church.

Learn how to journal here.

Here are 20 Catholic Bible journaling prompts to deepen your faith and reflection:

  1. Gratitude Reflection: Choose a Psalm that speaks of gratitude (e.g., Psalm 136). Reflect on the ways God has shown steadfast love in your life.
  2. Divine Mercy: Read about the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). Journal about a time you experienced God’s mercy.
  3. Living the Beatitudes: Pick one of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:3-12 and write about how you can live out that Beatitude in your daily life.
  4. Fruits of the Spirit: Read Galatians 5:22-23. Select one fruit of the Spirit and journal how you see this fruit manifesting in your life or how you can cultivate it more.
  5. Saintly Insights: Choose a favorite saint, read a passage they wrote or a story about them, and reflect on how their life inspires your spiritual journey.
  6. Parable Pondering: Select a parable Jesus tells in the Gospels (like the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan). Write about its relevance to your current life situation.
  7. Divine Promises: Reflect on a promise of God from Scripture (e.g., Isaiah 41:10). How does knowing this promise affect your faith and daily living?
  8. Forgiveness and Healing: Read the story of the healing of a paralytic, where Jesus first forgives his sins (Mark 2:1-12). Reflect on the relationship between forgiveness and healing in your own life.
  9. Mary’s Heart: Reflect on Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Journal about what you are treasuring and pondering in your heart today.
  10. Call of Discipleship: Read about Jesus calling His disciples (Mark 1:16-20). Reflect on how you are being called to follow Jesus in your own life.
  11. Overcoming Temptation: Reflect on Jesus’ temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). Journal about a personal struggle and how you can use Jesus’ example to overcome it.
  12. Faith in Action: James 2:14-26 discusses faith and works. Write about a recent time when you put your faith into action.
  13. Hope in Hardship: Reflect on Romans 5:3-5, which talks about suffering producing perseverance. Journal about a difficult time and how it has strengthened your hope.
  14. Christ’s Peace: John 14:27 talks about the peace Christ gives. Write about how you experience Christ’s peace in turbulent times.
  15. Loving Like Jesus: Reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Journal about practical ways you can show this kind of love in your relationships.
  16. Spiritual Warfare: Reflect on Ephesians 6:10-18 and the armor of God. Journal about the spiritual battles you face and how you can be better prepared.
  17. God’s Creation: Spend time in nature and read Genesis 1. Write about how the beauty of creation speaks to you about God’s character.
  18. Guidance and Wisdom: Reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6 and how trusting in the Lord has guided you in past decisions.
  19. The Role of Prayer: Reflect on the importance of prayer as seen in the life of Jesus (e.g., Luke 5:16). Journal about your prayer life and aspirations.
  20. Sacrifice and Salvation: Reflect on the Passion narratives in the Gospels. Write about what Jesus’ sacrifice means for your life and faith.

Here are 20 Catholic Bible journaling prompts to deepen your faith and reflection_ (Printable version)

Bible Journaling

Bible journaling is a reflective practice where individuals write their thoughts and prayers about Bible passages, helping them to understand and apply God’s words to their lives. This method is particularly enriching for Catholics, as it allows them to deepen their spiritual connection and better understand the Church’s teachings alongside Scripture.