I am nearing the end of my current journal (picture shown here), as part of my journey to be still, and know that God is God, and I am not. This particular journal began while studying spiritual warfare, it’s where I delved into a deep depression, where I cried out to the Lord, where I learned to listen to God’s voice, where I was led to let go of shame that kept me in a depression, where I learned to focus on the Lord and to become thankful. I wrote this jewel in my journal from “Choosing Gratitude” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, “Gratitude is born in the hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” In this journal is also where I learned more about prayer, and spent more time praying than I ever remember doing. We are called to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) And through this journal I have learned what that means. I’ve also learned that when God burdens us with what burdens Him, our responsibility is to pray, and then leave the answer up to Him. And to continue to pray about it until I have a peace and a sign that the Lord is working, even when I can’t see what the end result will be.

I have grown so much in my time with the Lord in this journal. I have several places that I flip to each morning to begin my prayer time with the Lord before beginning my time in His Word. Since I will be going to a new journal soon, I typed up these pages to one document so that I will always have it with me. It occurred to me to share it with you, being hopeful that this will spur you on to write out your own prayers and thanksgiving for your own blessings and grace upon grace. (I warn you, it’s a bit long–but by the time I am finished with this, my focus is fully on the Lord.) I hope it blesses you!

Lord, help me to see people and circumstances through your eyes, and help me to recognize the blessings and grace I receive from You and others so that I will transform into a thankful person. And in my grateful spirit, may Your light shine through me so that those in the darkness desire to come into the light. Jesus You said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

I seek You, Lord, with my whole heart, and You have promised if I do, I will find You. Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name. For You promised if I do, I will receive Your wisdom and receive understanding of Your Word that I hold close to my heart.

Send Your Light and Truth to lead me, and remove all spiritual blindness, deafness and hardness of heart. Grant me conviction of sin with godly sorrow to repentance and deliverance from captivity, so that I will be free in Your grace and mercy. It is written that you shall know the truth and the Truth shall set you free. Jesus, You are the Truth and the only Way to our Lord God the Father. Thank you for Your sacrifice for my sins so that by faith in You, I may come boldly to the Lord’s throne of grace to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. I thank you for the blessings, grace and benefits You have given to me.

  • Although I was created from dust, You breathed Your breath into me (Gen. 2:7);
  • Even though I deserved Your wrath for my sin, You had mercy on me. You sent Your Son to die for my sin so that by faith, acceptance and repentance You credited His righteousness to me by Your gift of grace (Eph. 2:3-5);
  • You love me as high as the heavens are from the earth (Ps. 103:11);
  • You have removed my repented sin from me as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12);
  • You have said that I will have trouble (John 16:33), but You also said that You will not leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5); that You will be with me always. You are my hiding place (Ps. 32:7);
  • You have said that You will take my burdens from me (Matt. 11:28) and You will give me rest and refresh my soul (Jer. 31:25; Acts 3:19);
  • You have said that I need not fear evil, for You are with me and Your rod and Your staff will comfort me (Ps. 23:4);
  • You have said that I will dwell in Your house forever (Ps. 23:6);
  • You have said that You will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go with Your loving eye on me (Ps. 32:8);
  • You have said that my hope is in You alone (Ps. 62:5), and because of that hope and Your enduring love, I have a peace surpassing all human understanding (Phil. 4:7);
  • With the hope and peace You give to me (John 14:27), I can and do have joy in You alone (James 1:2-3)—not because of any circumstance in which I may find myself or my loved ones, but because in Your infinite power and majesty, You have power over all circumstances (Eph. 1:11-12);
  • You have invited me to come boldly to Your throne of grace with confidence that I may receive mercy and find grace in my time of need (Heb. 4:16)
  • You have reminded me that it is the wicked who flee though no one pursues, but that the righteous are as bold as a lion (Prov. 28:1), so that as Your child I am to stand firm and let nothing move me. And when I give myself fully to Your work, any labor for You is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58), and it is You that I am serving (Col. 3:23-24);
  • You have promised that You do not forget me, and that You have plans for me to give me hope and a future (Jer. 29:11);
  • You have promised to listen to me—to hear my requests and crying out to You when I call upon You and seek You with all my heart (Jer. 29:12-13);
  • You have promised that I won’t be tempted beyond what I can bear, and that You are faithful and will always provide a way out of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13);
  • You have promised that all that happens to me and my loved ones—all we go through—will be used for Your glory, and that You always work things out for my good and Your purpose because You love me (Rom. 8:28);
  • You know me, You know my name, and I am Yours (John 10:3);
  • You have promised that You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day Jesus returns or my earthly life is complete (Phil. 1:6)—and this work is not my doing, but Yours. I don’t have to figure it out, only submit to Your Word and follow in the steps You provide for me to walk in. (Eph. 2:8-10);
  • You have generously given me specific gifts to use for Your work and Your glory in service to you and others (1 Peter 4:10). All good gifts are from You (James 1:17);
  • You hear my prayers, and I am so grateful that You love me enough to want to listen to me (1 John 5:14);
  • You have said that You are my shield, and my very great reward, and I have no reason to fear (Gen. 15:1);
  • You are a merciful and forgiving God (Dan. 9:9)
  • You have given me a spirit of discernment, and that wisdom comes only from You (1 John 4:1);
  • You have given me love and compassion for others (1 Peter 4:8), and I am able to love because You first loved me (1 John 4:19);
  • You are the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for His sheep. You direct me where I need to go (John 10:14-16), and because You take care of me, You give me rest (Ps. 23:2);
  • You put me in a loving family who didn’t spare the rod, and in a home where we served You (Eph. 6:4), and where my parents sought Your guidance especially in tough times (Prov. 22:6);
  • You have given me the gift of true friends (Prov. 27:9);
  • You have given me the gift of family that I still have that I thank You for (Psalm 115:13-14)
  • You chose me (1 Thess. 1:4-6; John 15:16);
  • You have shown me that it is important to be bold for You, even if it doesn’t “feel good” (Joshua 1:9);
  • You have shown me that when I find myself “in the pits” is the time You provide so that I can draw closer to You—to know You better and to lean into You and trust that You know where You are taking me and what You want me to do for Your glory, and not for myself; it is the time to praise You no matter the circumstances (Psalm 34:1-3).

Dear Lord, I thank you for Your infinite grace and blessings, and for the reminder of some mentioned here. These remembrances put my focus on You where it belongs, and Your praise always on my lips. I glory in You and lift Your name as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In the precious name of Jesus, amen!