The aging mind is no joke! I’m quite sure it’s a combination of menopause coupled with increased stimulation from heavy tech usage and information overload!

I never believed I’d ever succumb to the betrayal of my very own brain mid-sentence while looking square in the face of someone I totally recognize yet, somehow, cannot for the life of me produce a name. But, rest assured, it has happened! Worse yet, I’ve been halfway into a deep conversation where my next relevant thought takes a deep dive into the abyss of who knows where? In those moments, a silent panic ensues, and I’m left with questions like, “What in the world just happened?”

I have always been a list maker because it helps me remember things, but it also provides the feelings of accomplishment as things are crossed off and completed. In addition to my list making, I appreciate the preservation of a good story, and the benefits provided when reflecting backwards over life. A solid look back can bolster faith and inform tomorrow’s hope, and we all need hope, right? Years ago, I traveled for work and began the practice of journaling about the places I traveled, people I met, and experiences I had. Most importantly, I integrated prayer journaling into my routine — and I continue to do this practice today!

While making to-do lists and journaling are two different things, they both provide a satisfying solution to remembering things. If I need to remember to buy milk, put it on the list! If I need to remember the faithfulness of God in a season of life, check the prayer journals!

You get the idea…

I cannot tell you how I have absolutely loved being able to look back and see the faithfulness of God all over my life throughout the years. When my hope tank is low, I can find quick and reliable encouragement by taking a walk down memory lane in my journals. My journaling practices have certainly evolved over the years; I now take a more fun and creative approach by using stickers along with colored pens and highlighters. I often print sticker pictures of people I am praying for and place them inside my journal. My journal is my own little sacred space to meet with God in an intentional way. Seeing the faces of those I love allows my prayer time to gain holy traction within my heart. I get excited about intercession!

I use the same general format that I’ve found works well, because an organized structure gives me the guide needed for staying on track. For example, I have monthly prompts sorted by specific topics like friends, family, personal, church, community and then long form journal space for general conversations, and gratuitous prayers with God. I include a section for writing out scripture that helps me memorize God’s word and hide it away in my heart.

I’ve come to recognize my prayer journaling practice as my own “stones of remembrance” ritual, as talked about in Joshua 4:1-24. I encourage you to read the entire story at your leisure. In paraphrasing, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, which miraculously stopped flowing. God instructed twelve men, one from each tribe, to take twelve stones from the riverbed to serve as a tangible reminder of God’s mighty hand and a sign to future generations.

I, too, hope my prayer journals serve as memorial stones of legacy, echoing hope for the future about all God has done in my life. For now, my journals serve me with a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness throughout the various seasons of my life — both big and small. Journaling gives my stories a place to rest while also allowing me to go back and remember the many things I never want to forget!

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