Try Writing Down Your Prayers
By Rick Warren
“The Lord gave me this answer: ‘Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.’” Habakkuk 2:2 (GNT)
If you want to hear God speak, do this: Withdraw to a quiet place, wait patiently and expectantly, and ask God to give you a picture of what he wants to say to you. Then write down God’s responses to your questions.
In the book of Habakkuk, the Lord commands the author to “write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance” (Habakkuk 2:2 GNT).
That’s how we got the book of Habakkuk. In chapter one, Habakkuk wrote down what he said to God. And in chapter two, he wrote down what God said back to him.
That’s also how we got the book of Psalms; many of those psalms came directly from David’s quiet time. David meditated on the first five books of the Bible, the Torah, and then he wrote down his thoughts, and they’re called psalms. In many of the psalms, he starts out with what he’s feeling and then ends up writing down what God says.
If your prayer life is stuck in a rut, and you tend to pray the same things over and over—“God, be with this person” or “Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies”—then here’s what you need to do: Start writing down your prayers.
“What? You mean I don’t have to say them?” That’s right! Writing them down is a prayer. God can hear it in your thoughts. Just write it down.
Is it okay to write out a prayer and then read it? Of course it is. When you’re writing it, you’re praying. When you’re reading it, you’re praying.
This is called the spiritual habit of journaling, and it’s one that all Christians should understand and practice.
A journal is not a diary. A diary is about the things you did. A journal is about the lessons you learned—the mistakes you made and what God has taught you.
Start your spiritual journal today. It will help you to hear and to remember what God is telling you.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Your Gift Matched to Help More People Experience the Hope of Jesus
Thank you for your generous gift today to help share God’s Word with people who are hurting, searching, or ready to grow in their faith.
As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you a copy of Choose Joy by Kay Warren.
This book helps you sink your roots deep into God’s love, strengthening your faith and steadying your hope.
So request yours when you give today. And thank you for your partnership!
*All gifts will be doubled up to the full amount of the grant. Thank you for your generous support!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
