Adoration is a cherished traditional practice in Catholicism that involves spending time in the real presence of our Lord in the consecrated Host that is placed in a monstrance on the alter for the faithful to worship and adore. It’s a time of quiet reflection, prayer, and conversation with Christ who is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Eucharist. When we walk into Chapel, we are literally in the presence of God. The stillness of Adoration offers fertile ground for hearing the voice of God which is often drowned out or ignored in our hectic daily lives but if your anything like me, as soon as you sit or kneel down, your mind races with a million distractions. What am I going to make for dinner? Why did I say that to her? Did I blow out my candle before I left the house? Will I get the promotion? I need to invite Jim over for dinner, and on and on the mind can go, especially when confronted with silence. It raves on like a monkey until we gently reign it in. This is where the prayer journal becomes your best friend, your chief monkey mind catcher, so that we can make the most of our time with the Lord. Our time is precious, and finite so let’s just get creative and move on with it.
Prayer journaling is not just writing; it's a form of prayer, a dialogue with God. It's where you pour out your heart, listen in silence, and wait for His gentle whisper. It’s a process that combines reflection, prayer, and the discipline of writing to deepen one’s relationship with God. It is a form of personal communication and can heighten our awareness of the spiritual significance of the moment, fostering a deeper sense of reverence and awe. Journaling provides a private and safe space to express one’s innermost thoughts, struggles, joys, and gratitude. This can facilitate a more authentic and heartfelt Adoration experience.
Here are 10 ideas for your prayer journaling during adoration. Adapt them as you see fit and get creative with your own. I highly recommend bringing along with your prayer journal, a Bible and/or some other form of spiritual reading, a prayer book and some colorful (or not) pens. Also, remember to leave time to sit in silence to listen after each writing session.
1. Write out your own praise psalm. Here it is helpful to have the Book of Psalms with you. Read through them for inspiration, find your favorite (not all psalms are praise psalms, hint, a good research project for you), contemplate it for a while and write your own or copy your favorite, make it pretty, this is for the living God, he is right there with you.
2. Write a Gratitude List. Sit and think about everything you are thankful for, there is nothing too small or insignificant here. Contemplate how God is providing for you in your daily life.
3. Pour out your heart. What’s on your mind in that moment, good or bad. What are you struggling with? What are you worried about? Fears, Longings, Joys, and sufferings. Write it out. The Lord is listening.
4. Scripture Reflection: Choose a verse from the daily mass reading or randomly open the bible after asking the Lord to give you a reading for the day and write about how it speaks to your current situation.
5. Prayer Requests: Write down your deepest prayers and leave space to record how they are answered in the coming weeks or months.
6. God’s Attributes: Reflect on an attribute of God (like His mercy, love, or patience) and how you’ve experienced it personally.
7. Forgiveness: Journal about a situation where you seek forgiveness or need to offer it, and ask God for guidance.
8. Write an Intercessory List: make of list of who you are praying and sacrificing for and why.
9. Dreams and Desires: Share your dreams and desires with God and listen for His direction or affirmation.
10. Spiritual Goals: Set a spiritual goal and outline steps you believe God is calling you to take to achieve it.
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