Sunday January 25, 2009

The first thing I want you to do is pray.

Pray every way you know how,

for everyone you know. 

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

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Setting up a Prayer & Praise Journal

After mentioning my Prayer & Praise Journal the other day, several of you commented that you were challenged to start a prayer & praise journal on your computer.  Some of you asked me to walk you through the setup.

(If you prefer a regular notebook or journal, just adjust the notes to fit your needs.)

I plan to spend every morning this week giving you helpful hints that I have learned over the years, but you will want to set up a journal that works for you.  This coming Saturday is not only the end of the week, it is the end of the month, meaning you will be ready with your praise & prayer journal by February 1.

I think it would be interesting to hear from others who already use a prayer journal or list, because the Bible says, “iron sharpens iron”, meaning we can encourage and sharpen each other.

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Getting Started

Open a new folder in your computer.

I use my desktop, because I am the only one who uses this computer.  If you have several users, and have a personal space or folder, you will want to go there.

I use Microsoft.  If you have an Apple computer, you will follow directions for that setup for folders and documents.

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I assume you know how to set up a new folder, but if not

1. Go to your desktop or the space where you are setting up your journal

2. Right click on your mouse

3. Highlight new and click on folder.

4. You should see a new folder on your desktop or area that says new folder.

5. You can probably name it immediately.  If not, right click on the folder – click rename – type Prayer & Praise – Prayer Journal – or whatever you want to name your journal.

 

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The next thing you will want to do is set up a master document to put inside this folder.

Setting up a Master Document

1. I use Microsoft Word, so the directions will be for Word.  If you have something else, follow directions for setting up a document. 

You can “cheat” by copying an old Word document and pasting it in this folder.

(Directions for copying and pasting an old document)

1. Highlight the document that you want to copy.

2. Hold the control (ctrl) key down – then click on the C key.  Release both.

3. Open your Prayer & Praise Journal.

4. Hold the control key down – then click on the V key.  The old document should be there.

5. Rename folder 01

6. Open and clear the contents.

(Directions for setting up a new document)

1. You can probably access Word on the left when you open your new folder, others will have to click on Start – Programs – Microsoft – Word, to open a new document.

2. Name the master page 01.  This will be your journal for the 1st day of every month.  If you insert the zero in front of the 1, this will eventually keep the dates in order.

 

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Tomorrow we will set up the master page. 

If you want to do more today, begin organizing your general prayer requests on paper – the people and situations you want to pray for at least one time a month.  

Remember:  Do not include people here who you will be praying for every day:  spouse, children, etc.

If you will be using a church directory for everyone under A, there is no need to write every name.  I use the directory itself because we are part of a very large church.

I do these in alphabetical order.  (friends, church, ministry friends, government, etc.) because it helps me know where to add new names or situations. 

Begin your paper setup by writing every letter of the alphabet on the left side of a piece leaving a few inches between each letter.  You will need several pieces of paper.

Begin putting names under the letters.  I find it easer to go by last name, but if first name works for you – that’s fine.

For instance:

Sue Anderson (put her name under A)

If you want to be reminded to pray for you postman once a month, and don’t know his name, put Postman under the letter P.

Remember, we will be setting up thirty-one documents, so twenty-seven through thirty-one will not be done by a letter of the alphabet.  You will be the one who decides what names and situations to put in these five folders.  I use these days for situations – rather than names of people.

It is also nice to have five days that are lighter in prayer requests. 

This should keep you busy for awhile.

Let me know if you have any questions.