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The Prayer That Must Be Written

Treasuring Love

Over the years I have found that my journal is not so much a place to record impressions of daily life—although I bless those of you who record such precious memories! My journal has become a place to safeguard what I believe the Lord is revealing to me and what I am saying to Him—conversations with God. When I look back on my entries, I see His faithful movement in my life; I find His practical wisdom for today, and I have a good indication of His direction for tomorrow. The exchange is so wonderful I call it the prayer that must be written.

One night some years ago, I was preparing for bed when I sensed Holy Spirit speaking. He said simply, “Hold on.”

There was nothing ominous in His encouragement. I had a journal beside my bed so I opened it and wrote, “Hold on.” As I did, I curiously anticipated the treasures I would find tucked about that phrase when I opened His Word the next morning.

Here’s what I found and recorded: 

• Hold on to what is good. 
• Hold on to instruction. 
• Hold on to the Word of life. 
• Hold on to faith.

I think it was that very afternoon or perhaps the next that I received one of the most painful phone calls of my life. It was our pastor sharing information about a precious member of my family in deep trouble and immediate need. My mind whirled and my breath came in gasps as this news settled into my consciousness. My husband and I left our home almost immediately to put feet on the ground in the situation and intervene if we could. The next hours were a continuous downward spiral until I was half out of my mind in terror about what would happen next. In the wee hours of that night, I arrived home again. My husband was still caring for needs at the scene of our crisis and our children were asleep. I was alone, alone before God.

Still confused and in shock, I tried to think what I should do. Should I pray? I finally fell to my knees in the middle of the family room floor. In desperation I groped for something stable on which to lauch my faith. I distinctly remember thinking, “What, oh what, was the last thing the Lord said to me?” Then I remembered, “Hold on.”

Can you imagine what those two words meant to me in that moment? They were fresh revelation of the love and care of God for me personally. I realized with a start that God knew what was about to unfold before I did and had prepared me. If He had the wisdom to speak on the front side of the crisis, surely, He had the power to walk me and all those I loved into our next steps—and He did. Praise His name!

Thank goodness only a few of my journal entries have been preparation for perilous times. Most are reflections of what Jesus is teaching me in His Word, prayerful questions and answers, revelation about His character and ways, and expressions of worship—each part of the conversation is valuable. Each is precious to both the Lord and to me. 

Part of honoring the Lord is esteeming what He says so much that we hold or retain His communication, i.e., the prayer that must be written. When we think God is speaking, or we have a valuable thought that is directed to Him, perhaps we should write it down. When the nugget is safely recorded, we can walk away in peace. For those of you who hate writing I need to add I most often journal in bullet points instead of formal sentences and paragraphs—so easy!

My personal written prayers often include: 

• What the Lord is revealing 
• What I am communicating to God 
• What brings the Lord rightful credit and glory 
• What I want to be sure to remember 
• What could increase the wisdom or faith of those who may read my journal later

The One, who writes His law on our hearts champions recorded information. Think of the Bible! This incomparable revelation is articulated in simple written words. Though God’s thoughts and ways are high above all things, He is revealing Himself to us every day. What wondrous love is this? Love is a Person. Oh, let us rightfully treasure Him.