The Prayer Journal

It's no secret that making lists is one of the best ways to make sure you get stuff done and don't forget anything. We have grocery lists and to-do lists. We have calendars, which are a list of dates and events nested inside a list of days, months, and years! Lists are beneficial tools.

A great place to use a list is in your prayer rule. We use a fancy term for this list and call it a "prayer journal" because prayer is noble, so our list name should at least sound good, right? But don't let the fancy job description intimidate you; a prayer journal is a helpful list so that you have something to refer to when you pray for people and situations. It's not a place where you have to write lofty prose or create your own prayers, though you could do that. No, the main job of a prayer journal is so you don't forget "all those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we be."

You can use any paper notebook you like, or you can use one of the many note-taking apps available for your phone. Here's how I structure my prayer journal/list.

#1, The Reposed. When I move from the guidance of the prayer book into my own prayers, I always start with the reposed. I begin with "Grant rest, O Lord to the souls of your departed servants..." and then I ask him to remember "My ancestors and family members, especially:" and I list my family members, in-laws, and children.

Next is other families' children. They are followed by "The servants of God" which is a long section starting with the departed of my church family, then any other Orthodox, then clergy; Patriarchs, priests, monastics, deacons, any of these whom I know personally, or whose lives have impacted me in a special way. After them, there is a long list of friends, acquaintances, classmates, and so on. If I hear of a death personally, from a friend or family member, then I figure I was supposed to know about it and pray for them, so they get on the list. Some of you have family on my list.

I close the prayer for the reposed by asking God to also remember "those who have no one to remember them."

When do I take people off the list of the reposed? If they appear to me and tell me to stop, I'll stop. Otherwise I'll pray for them all daily until I join them!

#2, The Living. I pray for the living with simply "Lord have mercy on" and then I start with my wife and then our kids and their families, oldest to youngest. Next, My Dad, brother and sister-in-law, then my extended family in one group. Then my wife's family in the same way. Next is clergy, then those whom I have sponsored, followed by my Sponsor and his family. Then I pray for a portion of, or all of the members of St. Mary parish. At least once a week I make it through the whole list of members. In penitential seasons I try to get everyone every day. Orthodox friends from elsewhere are next, and bringing up the rear, "all orthodox monastics, [name] and all orthodox priests, Metropolitain Saba, Patriarch John, and all Orthodox Bishops" and "all Orthodox Christians of true worship." Catechumens are the very last.

#3, Special conditions. Next are the sick, the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, spiritually afflicted. Expectant moms have a section, followed by those in the marital estate, comfort for those who mourn, and then miscellaneous conditions like my coworkers, those in darkness due to deception or ignorance, and all other special requests and concerns like travelers, anniversaries, etc.

#4, Thanksgiving. Don't forget to have a section where you can list things for which you are thankful. Answered prayers, births, baptisms, and so on. It's vital to spend time thinking about and expressing thanks for God's gracious gifts.

To summarize, My journal is organized so that I pray for the reposed, then the living, and in both groups, I start close, with family, and radiate outward into the world. Then I give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

Having a journal helps me to always pray without forgetting anyone. A side benefit is that it provides me with an impetus to stay in touch with those who have made requests so that I can stay abreast of the situation and move their requests into the thanksgiving section as appropriate.

I do not write as an expert, but I humbly submit this to you as a method that has helped me, and I hope it is helpful to you as well.
With love in Christ,
Arsenios.

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