Maybe you've seen a friend's Bible journal, all decorated with washi tape and colored pencil notes, and thought, "That looks nice, but where would I even start?" We get it. At The Little Rose Shop, we hear from moms and grandmothers all the time, along with plenty of new believers, who want to grow closer to God through writing but feel unsure of the "right" way to do it.
Here's the good news: there isn't one right way. Journaling as a Christian is simply a conversation with God that you keep on paper. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to journal as a Christian, starting with why it matters and a few simple methods you can try today.
What this article covers:
Why Journal as a Christian?
Journaling helps you slow down long enough to actually notice what God is doing in your life. It's not commanded anywhere in Scripture, but it's one of the most practical habits you can build for your spiritual life.
Think of it like the twelve stones the Israelites piled up after crossing the Jordan River, a lasting reminder of what God had done for them so future generations would ask about it. Your journal works the same way. It becomes a record you can look back on whenever you need reminding of his faithfulness, and remembering what God has already done tends to build your faith for whatever is still ahead.
Writing things out also helps you process a hard season and think more clearly, and it gives you a way to track how you've grown over time. Whatever your reason for picking up a journal, God isn't grading your penmanship. He just wants your honest heart on the page.
How You Can Journal as a Christian
There's no single formula here, and that's the beauty of it. Below are a few tried-and-true approaches. Try one, mix a few, or rotate between them depending on your season of life:
1. Try Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, which means "divine reading," is a beginner-friendly place to start, and it's rooted deeply in our Catholic tradition. It moves through four simple steps: read a short passage slowly (Lectio), sit with a word or phrase that stands out (Meditatio), respond with an honest prayer (Oratio), and rest quietly in God's presence (Contemplatio).
Our Lectio Divina Journal walks you through each step and gives you space to record your reflections along the way. Keep your Catholic Bible close by, too, since it includes the Deuterocanonical books alongside the more familiar Old Testament texts.
2. Start a Gratitude Journal
Gratitude journaling is exactly what it sounds like: taking a few quiet minutes to thank God for what he's given you. It doesn't have to be a grand answered prayer. Maybe it's a good cup of coffee, a call from your daughter, or a quiet moment on the porch.
Write down what you noticed and how it made you feel, rather than just listing it and moving on. Sitting with the moment a little longer helps the gratitude actually take root in your heart.
3. Keep a Prayer Journal
A prayer journal gives you a place to record what's on your heart and who's on your mind. When someone asks you to pray for them, write it down so you don't forget. List out your hopes for your family and your health, along with anything else weighing on you, then choose one thing to really sit with and bring before the Lord in writing.
Over time, you'll build a record of what you've prayed for and how God has answered, which becomes an encouragement all its own.
Want to learn more about prayer journals? Read our guides on the best prayer journals for women and how to organize a prayer journal.
4. Reflect at the End of the Day
Reflection journaling is a wonderful way to close out your day, and the Daily Examen is a centuries-old way to do it well. Rooted in the prayer of St. Ignatius, the Examen invites you to look back over your day, noticing where you saw God and where you fell short, then bring what you find to him in prayer.
Our Women's Daily Examen Prayer Journal offers guided prompts for this exact practice, and My First Examen Board Book introduces the same gentle habit to little ones at bedtime. This kind of reflection pairs beautifully with prayer journaling, since the two naturally spill into one another.
5. Keep It Simple and Stay Consistent
Here's the piece we wish someone had told us when we started: keep it simple. If your only plan for journaling requires a full thirty or forty-five minutes, you'll be far less likely to stick with it than if you aim for something closer to five minutes a day. Start small. One honest sentence a day beats a blank notebook you're too intimidated to open.
It also helps to pick a consistent time. Some of us are morning people who love reflecting before the house wakes up. Others do better at night, closing the day in quiet conversation with God. Neither is more spiritual than the other.
Pick whatever time you'll actually protect, and don't worry about catching up on days you miss. Your journal doesn't need to capture everything. It just needs to capture you, honestly, before God.
Christian Journal FAQs
What kind of journal should I use to get started?
Any notebook works, and you don't need anything fancy. A simple lined journal is plenty, though many people enjoy one with guided prompts or extra room for Scripture.
If you'd like a little more structure, our prayer journal collection is designed with exactly this in mind, with space for Scripture, gratitude, and prayer requests all in one place. Pick something you'll actually want to open each day.
What if I don't know what to write?
Not knowing what to put in a prayer journal is normal, especially at first. Start with a single verse or a simple question, like what you're thankful for today. The words tend to come once you get past that first blank line.
Can journaling take the place of prayer or Bible reading?
Journaling works best alongside prayer and Scripture, not instead of them. Think of it as a place to process what you're already reading and praying through, not a replacement for either one.
IMAGE 5. Alt tag: “journaling as a Christian”
Conclusion
Journaling as a Christian doesn't require special training or a perfect system. It just takes a pen, a few honest minutes, and a willingness to bring your real self to God. Whether you land on the SOAP method, a gratitude practice, a running prayer list, or nightly reflection, what matters most is that you keep showing up to the page.
At The Little Rose Shop, we love creating journals and rosaries, along with other keepsakes that make that practice feel a little more special. We'd be honored to be part of your journey.
Ready to start? Browse our collection of prayer journals and Catholic keepsakes at The Little Rose Shop Catholic store and find a companion for your own quiet time with God.