How to start a faith journal, free printable template - prayer journal, Bible journaling, gratitude journal, faith planner

How To Start A Faith Journal The Easy Way

August 5, 2026 Mae

Hi friends! Here is an easy way how to start a faith journal for beginners. This is perfect for Christians who want to start journaling about their faith. It is a Bible journal, prayer journal, gratitude journal, and a personal journal all in one book. Once you start with your faith planner, you are on your way to a deeper relationship with God.

Table of Contents

My Backstory

I’ve wanted to get back to journaling but I didn’t know where to start. And then one day I happened to watch One Crafty Dolo on YouTube and she gave me inspiration. I love how she talks about her faith and what she wrote in her journals, including her faith journal. And so I decided to give it a go and started my first faith journal in one of my old Hobonichi planners from 2023. I haven’t stopped since then, and I found myself praying more, feeling more hopeful instead of depressed, and reading the Bible more. I hope that this blog article helps you start your own faith journal.

How To Start A Faith Journal

Step 1. Get a pen and a notebook.

Just get any notebook, it doesn’t have to be your favorite one. Your goal here is to start writing and practice so you can decide later how you want your faith journal to be like.

Step 2. Set your intentions.

Write down your intentions on your notebook, and it doesn’t have to be the perfect one. Remember, we are here for the journey and mistakes are allowed. You can change your mind or make decisions about details later. What’s important is that you start.

In my case, I started a faith journal because I was getting overwhelmed and stressed. I needed to remind myself of God’s love for me and recognize what he’s been doing in my life. I wanted to encourage myself with Bible verses that God reminds me of. I also needed to get in touch with my feelings instead of ignoring them so I can address them better.

What do you want your journal to do for you?
This is not a diary to record every detail of your day. This is a tool that you will use to strengthen your faith in God.

Where are you now in your walk with God?
Identifying your needs helps you create this tool to meet those needs. Remember that God never leaves you nor forsakes you, He is with you all along. This journal will help you to remember God and His Word and tell Him whatever is in your heart.

Step 3. Create a set of journal prompts.

What helped me with journaling consistently is having a set of repeatable steps through journal prompts. I have written these prompts with my intentions in mind. You can use these prompts to help you get started, and then later you can create your own prompts as you continue journaling consistently.

My Journal Prompts:

Gratitude: What are 3 things that you are thankful for today?

Feelings: Describe how you feel today. What made you feel that way?

Encouragement: Write down words to encourage yourself especially when you are feeling down, a Bible verse or a statement of your faith in God. Remind yourself of what God has done for you at the cross, or how He has helped you in the past.

Prayers / Wishes: These are things that I ask God to do for me today, things that I have no control over.

Bible Verse: Write down a Bible verse that encourages you today.
I usually search the internet for the actual complete Bible verse and copy it in my journal.

I write in complete sentences instead of bullet points. I think it has its advantages; my thoughts flow freely and I am able to express myself better because I’m not editing my sentences or summarizing them into bullet points.

Step 4. Set a time for yourself and start journaling everyday.

Try different times, different setups, until you get your most frictionless routine to help you journal consistently. In my case, I write in the morning after breakfast, and so I keep my journal and pen in the kitchen. I tried different notebook sizes and now I am writing in an A5 size. I listen to worship music in the morning and that helps me focus my mind on God. I’ve also decided not to decorate my pages for now so I don’t get distracted.