Prayer journals
Prayer journal prompts for thanks, confession, requests, and Scripture
· Updated · 2 min read
Prayer journal prompts for when you don't know what to write, for thanks, confession, requests, Scripture, and looking back on how God has answered.
These prayer journal prompts give you a place to start when you open your journal and don’t know what to write. Pick one, write a few honest sentences, and let it turn into prayer. A single prompt a day is enough.
What are good prayer journal prompts?
Good prayer journal prompts are short questions that turn into prayer, such as “What am I thankful for today?”, “Who needs prayer today?”, and “What did I read in Scripture, and what does it show me about God?” A prompt is a question to answer. One a day is enough: write a few honest sentences in reply, then pray what you wrote.
Prompts for thanks
- What am I thankful for today, even something small?
- Where did I see God’s kindness this week?
- Who has God put in my life that I’m grateful for?
Paul tells us to pray “with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6).
Prompts for confession
- Where have I fallen short this week?
- Is there someone I need to forgive, or ask forgiveness from?
- What am I holding on to that I need to give to God?
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).
Prompts for requests
- What am I worried about today?
- Who needs prayer today, and what do they need?
- What decision do I need wisdom for (James 1:5)?
Prompts for Scripture
- What did I read today, and what does it show me about God?
- Which verse do I want to remember this week?
- How can I pray this passage back to God?
Prompts for looking back
- What have I been praying for the longest?
- How has God answered a prayer, even in a way I didn’t expect?
- Where was God faithful to me this month (Psalm 77:11)?
A prompt for each day of the week
- Sunday: What did I hear in church today?
- Monday: What am I carrying into this week?
- Tuesday: Who needs prayer today?
- Wednesday: What am I thankful for?
- Thursday: What do I need to confess?
- Friday: Where did I see God this week?
- Saturday: What has God answered lately?
These prompts are questions to answer. For different ways to lay out a journal, see these prayer journal ideas.
Use prompts in The Pray App
The Journal screen in The Pray App shows a prompt at the top, like “Tell Jesus what you’re worried about, and leave it with him.” Write under it, tap the shuffle button for another one, and tap Done when you finish. It saves as you type.
To compare journaling on paper and on your iPhone, see how a prayer journal app works.
Each prompt turns you to God. Tap shuffle when you want a different one.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to start a prayer journal.
Questions people ask
What are good prayer journal prompts?
Good prompts are short questions that turn into prayer, like "What am I thankful for today?", "Who needs prayer today?", and "What did I read in Scripture, and what does it show me about God?"
How many prompts should I use each day?
One is enough. Pick one prompt, write a few sentences, and pray. You can use a different prompt each day of the week.
Are prayer journal prompts biblical?
Prompts are tools, not Scripture, but the best ones come from it. Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6), confession (1 John 1:9), and requests for others (1 Timothy 2:1) all follow the Bible's pattern of prayer.
Related guides
- Answered prayers, how to keep a record of what God has doneHow to keep a record of answered prayers, what to write when God answers, how to handle prayers that stay open, and why looking back strengthens faith.
- Prayer journal app, how to keep a prayer journal on iPhoneWhat to look for in a prayer journal app, how journaling on your iPhone compares to paper, and how The Pray App ties your journal to the people you pray for.
- Prayer journal ideas for beginnersPrayer journal ideas for beginners, from simple layouts to praying Scripture, keeping a gratitude list, and tracking answered prayers over time.
- How to start a prayer journal, a simple guide for beginnersHow to start a prayer journal, what to write, prompts for when you're stuck, and how to record God's answers so you can look back on them later.