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Prayer is simple: talking with our Father through Jesus. But many of us find it hard to stay focused, to know what to say, or to keep going when prayers seem unanswered. A prayer journal, along with a few trusted books on prayer, can help.
Writing prayers slows racing thoughts. It helps you remember what you asked and see later how God answered. Reading wise teachers on prayer gives you new words and a better understanding of what you’re doing when you pray. Here are some of our favorite resources for building a lasting prayer life.
Our Picks at a Glance
- Val Marie Paper Prayer Journal: a guided, structured prayer journal
- A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller: learning to pray honestly in a busy world
- Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney: a simple method for daily prayer
- The Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett: words for prayer when your own run dry
- A Prayer Journal by Flannery O’Connor: inspiration from a real prayer journal
- Zebra Mildliner Highlighters (5-Pack): color-coding prayers and verses
1. Val Marie Paper Prayer Journal
Best for: a guided, structured prayer journal
Val Marie Paper makes guided prayer journals with a weekly structure, prompts, and space for praise, confession, requests, and answered prayers. Their journals are sold mainly through their own website, so we link there directly. If you want structure and beautiful design, these are worth a look.
Pros
- Guided weekly structure
- Space to track answered prayers
- Attractive design
Cons
- Sold mainly on their own site, not Amazon
- Structured layout won’t suit everyone
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants prompts and a weekly rhythm to stay consistent.
Visit the official Val Marie Paper Prayer Journal site (official site, not an affiliate link)
2. A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller
Best for: learning to pray honestly in a busy world
Paul Miller’s A Praying Life is one of the most helpful modern books on prayer. He writes honestly about cynicism, unanswered prayer, and distraction, and he shows how to come to God like a little child. The revised edition linked here adds material on prayer cards and lament. Many readers say it changed the way they pray.
Pros
- Honest and practical
- Deals with unanswered prayer
- Introduces simple prayer cards
Cons
- Long for a quick read
- Some readers want more step-by-step method
Who it’s for: Anyone who feels stuck, distracted, or discouraged in prayer.
View A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller on Amazon
3. Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney
Best for: a simple method for daily prayer
In this short book, Donald Whitney offers a simple way to pray: read a passage, especially a psalm, and turn each line into prayer. It cures the habit of ‘saying the same old things about the same old things.’ Many readers finish it in an afternoon and start using it the next morning.
Pros
- Short and very practical
- Easy method you can use right away
- Keeps prayer grounded in Scripture
Cons
- Brief; not a full theology of prayer
- Focuses mainly on one method
Who it’s for: Busy believers who want a simple, Bible-based prayer habit.
View Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney on Amazon
4. The Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett
Best for: words for prayer when your own run dry
These Puritan prayers have become a favorite companion for personal prayer. Read one slowly, then let it shape your own prayer in your journal. Over time they teach you to pray with humility, gratitude, and hope.
Pros
- Theologically rich
- Teaches by example
- Lasts for years
Cons
- Older poetic language
- Not arranged by date
Who it’s for: Those who want to grow in reverent, heartfelt prayer.
View The Valley of Vision edited by Arthur Bennett on Amazon
5. A Prayer Journal by Flannery O’Connor
Best for: inspiration from a real prayer journal
Written in 1946–47 when Flannery O’Connor was a young writing student, this short journal shows a gifted young believer pouring out her longings to God. It isn’t a blank journal; it’s a window into honest, searching prayer. Many readers find it encourages them to write their own.
Pros
- Honest and moving
- Short and beautiful
- Inspires personal journaling
Cons
- Not a guide or blank journal
- Literary tone
Who it’s for: Writers, readers, and anyone wanting encouragement to pray on paper.
View A Prayer Journal by Flannery O’Connor on Amazon
6. Zebra Mildliner Highlighters (5-Pack)
Best for: color-coding prayers and verses
A small set of soft-color highlighters makes it easy to mark praises, requests, and answered prayers in your journal or Bible. Mildliners are dual-tipped and known for their gentle colors.
Pros
- Soft, pleasant colors
- Dual tip for broad or fine lines
- Useful in journals and Bibles
Cons
- Can ghost on very thin Bible paper
- Not a journal by themselves
Who it’s for: Visual people who like to color-code prayer.
View Zebra Mildliner Highlighters (5-Pack) on Amazon
Buying Guide
Guided or blank?
Guided journals offer prompts and structure. Blank journals give freedom. If you’ve struggled with consistency, start guided.
Use a simple framework
Try ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Or follow Whitney’s method and pray through a psalm.
Track answers
Keep a column or page for answered prayers. Looking back builds faith and gratitude.
Keep it accessible
Leave your journal where you’ll see it, next to your Bible or coffee maker. Short and consistent beats long and occasional.
Pray with others
Use your journal to remember requests from friends and your church, and follow up with them.
When prayer feels dry
Every believer goes through seasons when prayer feels flat. On those days, read a psalm and pray it back to God line by line, or read one prayer from The Valley of Vision and make it yours. Write a single honest sentence in your journal: “Lord, I’m here, and I don’t know what to say.” God welcomes that kind of honesty. Dry seasons often turn out to be when roots grow deepest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prayer journal?
A notebook where you write prayers, requests, praises, and answers.
How do I start a prayer journal?
Date the page, read a short passage, write a few lines of praise, confession, thanks, and requests, and leave room to record answers.
Do I need a special journal?
No. Any notebook works. Guided journals simply add structure.
What’s the best book on prayer for beginners?
Praying the Bible is short and practical; A Praying Life goes deeper.
A Closing Word
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). A journal is just paper and ink, but it can help you bring everything to God and remember his faithfulness.