I used to pray for things and forget I even asked. Then I'd wonder why God never answered my prayers. Turns out, He was answering all along – I just wasn't paying attention. A $3 notebook changed everything.
Three years ago, I found an old prayer list in my Bible. Half the things on it had been answered, but I'd completely forgotten I'd even prayed for them. That's when I realized: my memory is terrible, but God's faithfulness isn't.
Why I Started (The Embarrassing Truth)
I was complaining to a friend that God never answered my prayers. She asked, "What did you pray for last month?" I couldn't remember a single specific prayer. Not one.
That's when it hit me: How can I see God's answers if I don't remember the questions?
My Dead Simple System
No fancy bullet journal. No color coding. No Instagram-worthy spreads. Just a cheap notebook and a pen. Here's exactly what I do:
Date: Write it at the top
Request: What I'm praying for
Circle: Draw a circle next to it
That's it. When the prayer is answered, I fill in the circle and write the date it was answered.
Real Page from My Journal:
○ Wisdom for job decision
● Mom's surgery goes well (answered Jan 5!)
○ Help with anxiety about money
● Find lost wedding ring (FOUND Jan 7 - in toy box!)
○ Sarah's marriage healing
Jan 10, 2024
● Clear direction about job (Got clarity Jan 15)
○ Patience with kids
○ Dad's salvation
● Rent money for February (unexpected bonus Jan 20!!!)
See those filled circles? Those are answered prayers I would have forgotten about. Now they're evidence of God's faithfulness.
The Symbols I Use (Keep It Simple)
○ = Active prayer
● = Answered (fill in the circle)
⟲ = Ongoing (for things like "patience")
X = No longer needed/released
→ = See page ___ (when prayer continues)
! = URGENT
❤ = Praise/thanksgiving
Different Approaches That Work
The One-Line Method
Write one prayer per line. Date it. Check it off when answered. Perfect for minimalists.
The Categories Method
Divide pages into sections: Family | Work | Health | Others | Praise. Fill in as you go.
The Monthly Review Method
At month's end, review and mark: Answered, Still Waiting, or Released. Start fresh each month.
The Digital Method
Use a notes app with checkboxes. Search function makes it easy to track long-term prayers.
What I've Learned from 3 Years of Tracking
- God answers about 70% of my prayers with "yes" (I counted)
- The "no" answers usually make sense in hindsight
- Many prayers are answered differently than expected
- I pray about the same 5 things repeatedly
- My panic prayers often resolve before I pray again
- Thanksgiving pages outnumber request pages 2:1 now
The Unexpected Benefits
1. I Panic Less
When I'm freaking out, I flip back and see all the previous freak-outs that God handled. It calms me down.
2. I'm More Specific
Instead of "bless my family," I write "help Tom with his math test Tuesday." Specific prayers = recognizable answers.
3. I See Patterns
I noticed I pray about money every month, but God always provides. Why do I still worry? The journal shows me my trust issues.
4. I Celebrate More
Filling in those circles is satisfying. It's become a celebration ritual. Sometimes I write "THANK YOU GOD!" in huge letters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Making it too complicated (you'll quit)
- Feeling guilty about missed days
- Only writing requests (include praise!)
- Comparing your journal to Pinterest
- Forgetting to look back and review
How to Start Today
- Grab any notebook. Seriously, anything works.
- Write today's date.
- Write one prayer request. Just one.
- Draw a circle next to it.
- That's it. You've started.
Tomorrow, add another prayer. Or don't. There are no rules except: keep it simple enough that you'll actually do it.
The Pages That Matter Most
Every few months, I create an "Answered Prayers" page where I list the big ones. Reading this page on bad days reminds me that God is working even when I can't see it.
• Mom's cancer-free scan
• New job with better hours
• Fixed relationship with sister
• Kids' school situation resolved
• Anxiety medication working
• Dad came to church (!!!!)
• Car lasted another year
• Found community group
This list? It's my faith-builder. My doubt-fighter. My "God is real and He cares" evidence.
When You Don't Feel Like Writing
Some days I just write: "Same as yesterday, God. You know." That counts. Some days I only write "Help." That counts too. The point isn't perfect prose – it's showing up.
A Year From Now
If you start today, a year from now you'll have tangible proof of God's faithfulness. You'll see patterns of provision. You'll notice answers you missed. You'll have a record of growth.
But more than that, you'll have trained yourself to pay attention. To notice. To remember. To celebrate.
Digital Prayer Tracking Made Easy
The God Said app helps you track prayers and responses digitally, with scripture attached to each entry. Perfect for building your faith history.
Start TrackingStart now: Grab the nearest piece of paper. Write today's date. Write one thing you're praying about. Draw a circle next to it. Congratulations – you've started your prayer journal. It really is that simple. The hard part is remembering to look back in a month and see what God has done. Set a reminder. You'll be amazed.