Prayer Requests & Templates

 Choose The Right Prayer Template

Prayer requests come from deep within our souls.  Each time we ask someone to pray for us, our family, our friends, our circumstance we are opening up our hearts and risking exposure.  We are trusting that confidences are kept and those we share with will pray as they have commited to do.  However, if we are honest, most of us write down the requests on a scratch piece of paper and never think about them again until the next time we see those who gave us the requests.  It should not be this way.  Prayers are sweet smelling incense to our Heavenly Father and we need to honor them as He honors them.  Prayer templates can help us honor our personal prayers and prayers requested from others.

What is a Prayer Template?  It is a formatted page that fits the needs of the prayers you are collecting. Some pieces of information usually collected in prayer templates are: date/time prayer request was given, prayer request, person requesting, answer, date/time of answer, type of prayer request, etc.

Why A Prayer Template? Templates ensure that you are collecting all the information you want. They serve as reminders of what to collect and when prayers were given. Also they are a simple, sure way to keep track of your prayers whether they be personal or a group of prayers for others. Two main types can be used -- Automated or manual prayer templates. Automated prayer templates allow you to format your prayers easily so that you can keep track of them and allows instant review and unlimited sorting possibilities. So choose the template that is right for you!

  How do I Prayer Journal? So many times when we hear prayer requests we jot them down and never really sit in prayer over them. A prayer journal is just what it sounds like. A journal where you write out your prayers. 'Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. . .' Each time we pray our hearts and minds are renewed. Writing out your prayers helps you stay focused and calms your thoughts so that you can renew your mind and heart in Christ Jesus. You may want to read the article I wrote about how to keep a prayer journal.

Where do I find Prayer Templates? Many prayer journals come with pages designed as templates. There are also a few online journaling programs that offer templates you can use. Or you can create your own and print out the pages. My preference is the online journaling programs. These templates allow me to sort by study group, answered/not answered yet, people, words in the requests, etc. Seeing God answer prayers build my trust in Him and automated prayer journals allows me to see this instantly.