Journaling Through the 40 Days

Journaling is a discipline that can pay huge dividends to the one who develops it. Part of what we hope will come out of the 40 Days of Prayer & Repentance is that we are a community of Jesus followers that know His voice, can hear His voice, and will follow His voice. Journaling can be a huge help in learning to recognize the voice of God in your life.

Easily the best journaling method I have seen was developed by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Fellowship in Hawaii.  Cordeiro wrote about this method in his simple yet challenging book, The Divine Mentor. Anybody can do it...even YOU!.

As you read each day's scripture passage(s), look for the one or two verses that really connect with you.  You'll read several verses each day and several thoughts will strike you each day, but the goal here is to narrow it down to one or two verses that you really want to chew on. Once you've decided, write out the verse(s) word for word in your journal.

Then, write down everything that you see happening in and around those verses. Pay attention to the context.  Who is speaking? Who is listening? What event just happened or is about to happen? You get the idea. Write down your observations.

Next, figure out what you are supposed to do as a result of what you just read and learned. Write down specific application points.

Finally, write out a prayer asking God to continue to speak to you through this scripture, and to give you the courage to fully apply the truths and lessons learned.

The outline is called SOAP - Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Simple, huh?

Imagine how encouraging it will be to look back over these 40 days and read and reflect on all that God revealed to you about Him, about you, and about how He wants to use you. You can...get a notebook, your Bible, and get going!

Each week, we'll have 5 days of scripture readings, a catch-up day in case you miss one during the week, and a day to rest, reflect, and maybe gather with others to share what God is teaching you.

It would be great if from time to time, you share what God is teaching you right here on the blog. You can do so by clicking on the "comment" link under each daily reading post and write your thoughts.

"Father, help us to know Your voice, hear Your voice, and follow Your voice. Over these 40 days, teach, correct, encourage, and challenge us through Your Word. May we receive it and apply it. For Your Glory and Kingdom. Amen."