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Journaling - Prayer Class
Below is the journaling exercise I use in Prayer Class. I use journaling to get the student interacting with the Holy Spirit in a conversational manner. For some reason writing helps this process. We ask a question. The Holy Spirit Responds. We respond. He responds. Before you know it, you've just had a conversation with the Creator of the Universe.
This is an exercise that I often use for personal devotions. We are going to listen and write down our impressions. The steps are pretty simple:
1) Find a quiet place free from distractions. (I suggest silence)
2) Quiet your heart before the Lord. Pray a prayer for protection out loud.
Demons can’t see inside your head. (The one below is from Ted Kallman www.thewrestlingteam.com)
"Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I take authority over Satan and all of his servants. I command that they be silenced, deaf, dumb and blind to our prayers and to this time. Removed from our presence in Jesus’ name. I also take every thought captive now to the obedience of Christ and command that my own thoughts be silent as well. Holy Spirit, the Word says you will guide me into all truth and that the sheep of Jesus hear his voice so I ask you now to speak to me. Show me the Father’s heart and the Father’s ways. Grant me wisdom, insight and understanding now in the name of Jesus.
Thank you."
3) Ask the Lord to speak to you. Begin writing.
This last point needs a little bit of explanation. Just like every other part of the Christian life, which works through faith, we ‘hear’ God speak to us by faith. This faith is not just some random belief. We have faith in Christ’s complete work on the cross and that Scripture is true. We are who it says we are and we can do what we can do…regardless of our experience. John 10 says we hear Gods voice. So, whether you recognize it or not, if you are a Christian you hear God speaking to you.
Often starting with a question in mind is helpful. Begin by writing down the question. Then start with “Lord, I believe you are saying to me…” and just begin writing down your thoughts and impressions. This is not magic. This is not manipulation. It’s faith. As you write, don’t try to filter out or scrutinize whether or not each thought is from you or God. Just write. After you finish go back over what you’ve written and prayerfully consider whether it was from you or from God.
4) Review what you’ve written and assess whether or not you think it’s from God.
Does it line up with the Bible? (Anything which goes against Scripture we immediately discard.)
How does it make you feel? (The Holy Spirit encourages and convicts of sin. His kindness leads us to repentance. He does not bring feelings of self-hatred or depression.)
Submit any specific directions to your parents, an elder or your pastor for confirmation. (For example, “Lord, what college should I go to?”) In this class, we will dwell mostly on the aspects of God’s love for us because harder to fall into error by asking God to show you how much he loves you. Remember, we submit our interpretations of directions given during prayer to the community of believers just like our individual interpretations of Scripture. You are always a part of the larger body of Christ.
Today:
1) Quiet place: my room
2) Find a place of peace and stillness. Pray prayer of protection (out loud)
3) Prompts: (These change every month. See below.)
4) Then start: “Lord, I believe you are saying to me…”
1) Find a quiet place free from distractions. (I suggest silence)
2) Quiet your heart before the Lord. Pray a prayer for protection out loud.
Demons can’t see inside your head. (The one below is from Ted Kallman www.thewrestlingteam.com)
"Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I take authority over Satan and all of his servants. I command that they be silenced, deaf, dumb and blind to our prayers and to this time. Removed from our presence in Jesus’ name. I also take every thought captive now to the obedience of Christ and command that my own thoughts be silent as well. Holy Spirit, the Word says you will guide me into all truth and that the sheep of Jesus hear his voice so I ask you now to speak to me. Show me the Father’s heart and the Father’s ways. Grant me wisdom, insight and understanding now in the name of Jesus.
Thank you."
3) Ask the Lord to speak to you. Begin writing.
This last point needs a little bit of explanation. Just like every other part of the Christian life, which works through faith, we ‘hear’ God speak to us by faith. This faith is not just some random belief. We have faith in Christ’s complete work on the cross and that Scripture is true. We are who it says we are and we can do what we can do…regardless of our experience. John 10 says we hear Gods voice. So, whether you recognize it or not, if you are a Christian you hear God speaking to you.
Often starting with a question in mind is helpful. Begin by writing down the question. Then start with “Lord, I believe you are saying to me…” and just begin writing down your thoughts and impressions. This is not magic. This is not manipulation. It’s faith. As you write, don’t try to filter out or scrutinize whether or not each thought is from you or God. Just write. After you finish go back over what you’ve written and prayerfully consider whether it was from you or from God.
4) Review what you’ve written and assess whether or not you think it’s from God.
Does it line up with the Bible? (Anything which goes against Scripture we immediately discard.)
How does it make you feel? (The Holy Spirit encourages and convicts of sin. His kindness leads us to repentance. He does not bring feelings of self-hatred or depression.)
Submit any specific directions to your parents, an elder or your pastor for confirmation. (For example, “Lord, what college should I go to?”) In this class, we will dwell mostly on the aspects of God’s love for us because harder to fall into error by asking God to show you how much he loves you. Remember, we submit our interpretations of directions given during prayer to the community of believers just like our individual interpretations of Scripture. You are always a part of the larger body of Christ.
Today:
1) Quiet place: my room
2) Find a place of peace and stillness. Pray prayer of protection (out loud)
3) Prompts: (These change every month. See below.)
4) Then start: “Lord, I believe you are saying to me…”
Prompts for each month
Month 1
Father, how do you want to upgrade my image of you?
What do you want to teach me about who you are and what you are like?
What am I supposed to be learning?
Month 2
Father, what areas in my life do you want to teach me to trust you?
Father, is there an area in my life in which you want me to step out in faith?
What am I supposed to be learning?
Month 3
Jesus, how do you want to reveal the Father in my life?
Father, what does it look like that I love Jesus the way you love Jesus?
Father, you love me like you love Jesus. How will this love change me?
Month 4
Do you feel like your prayers are more effective when you’ve been a ‘good’ Christian over the last week or month? Is it true? What is the truth?
Is there an area of sin in your life that you’ve given up on and the Lord wants you to start fighting again? Be specific. Ask the Lord how you will get victory over this sin.
Father, show me your heart for me even while I’m warring against sin in my life.
Month 5
What promise is the Lord highlighting for me this month? What does that look like in my life now and in 5 years?
Are there promises and dreams the Lord has given me that I’ve let fall to the ground? What are they and how does the Lord want me to pick them back up again?
What actions do I need to take to partner with God in aligning myself with his promises over me life?
Month 6
Father, what steps do I need to take to deepen my relationship with you…
i. regarding how I spend my time,
ii. and how I read the Bible?
Is there anything else I need to be doing to grow closer to you?
Month 7
What does it look like to eagerly desire the spiritual gifts in my life?
Holy Spirit, what gifts have you given me? How do I step out in faith?
What actions do I need to take to partner with God in developing his gifts in my life?
Month 1
Father, how do you want to upgrade my image of you?
What do you want to teach me about who you are and what you are like?
What am I supposed to be learning?
Month 2
Father, what areas in my life do you want to teach me to trust you?
Father, is there an area in my life in which you want me to step out in faith?
What am I supposed to be learning?
Month 3
Jesus, how do you want to reveal the Father in my life?
Father, what does it look like that I love Jesus the way you love Jesus?
Father, you love me like you love Jesus. How will this love change me?
Month 4
Do you feel like your prayers are more effective when you’ve been a ‘good’ Christian over the last week or month? Is it true? What is the truth?
Is there an area of sin in your life that you’ve given up on and the Lord wants you to start fighting again? Be specific. Ask the Lord how you will get victory over this sin.
Father, show me your heart for me even while I’m warring against sin in my life.
Month 5
What promise is the Lord highlighting for me this month? What does that look like in my life now and in 5 years?
Are there promises and dreams the Lord has given me that I’ve let fall to the ground? What are they and how does the Lord want me to pick them back up again?
What actions do I need to take to partner with God in aligning myself with his promises over me life?
Month 6
Father, what steps do I need to take to deepen my relationship with you…
i. regarding how I spend my time,
ii. and how I read the Bible?
Is there anything else I need to be doing to grow closer to you?
Month 7
What does it look like to eagerly desire the spiritual gifts in my life?
Holy Spirit, what gifts have you given me? How do I step out in faith?
What actions do I need to take to partner with God in developing his gifts in my life?