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Well, this year has been . . . weird.
And challenging . . .
and . . . weird.
I know I never imagined having to wear masks to go grocery shopping and attend Mass. And when everything was shut down – I don’t know, it could happen again.
The first prompt that came to mind is to just recognize in prayer that God is in control. So the first journal prompt I would suggest is to simply write out The Surrender Prayer.
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Catholic Prayer Journal Prompts for 2020
The Surrender Prayer
I mean, if any reality has hit me in the face personally – is that we can not control most things anyway, so why bother worrying about it.
Easier said than done, I know.
So here’s my suggestion. Write it out and ask Jesus to help you to truly surrender to Him. Ask Him to hold you in His loving arms and help you to rest in His Love. He will help you.
Then take a deep breath. Maybe color around it if it helps or brings you joy.
The second prompt I would suggest involves taking a deep breath.
If you are fortunate enough to take that deep breath without entering into a coughing fit – thank God. And even if you do cough, thank God you just took that breath. Then, think for a minute. There are things to be thankful for.
Make God a Thank You Card
This was actually suggested by my 3 year old daughter. I felt like I had several people I should have been writing thank you cards too – and that my children should have been thanking.
So as I went to spend some time coloring with my daughter, I asked
“who should I write a thank you card too?”
She answered:
” God.”
And I thought – “you’re right, I should make God a thank you card”.
So I folded a paper in half, drew a sun and some hills, a few flowers and my 3 year old son added a “bird”.
Then I got distracted a few times and I want to finish it and glue in into my journal.
One thing we started doing this year is after dinner, each person at the table says 5 things we are thankful for. My intention was to not only cultivate an attitude of gratitude, but also get them to look back on their day and reflect upon what good things happened. And, to have some happy discussions at dinner because there is a lot of correcting if I am being totally honest.
Our 3 year old twins interpreted this in their own, beautiful, childlike way. Each night when we do this new practice, when we get to the twins, they don’t say things or events – they say. . . .
Thanful for Mommy, Daddy, Xavier . . . and name everyone around the table. Often they add our neighbor or an Aunt or an extended family member.
And I share this because – what a great reminder.
Our greatest blessing are the people who love us. Thank God for people. Thank God for things. Thank God for events.
Thank Him.
15 Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden
This is a totally new “novena” for me! I had not heard of it until recently. However, I don’t know if we can really call it a novena – these prayers are to be said every day for a year. However, this devotion is very powerful.
I started listening to these prayers on YouTube when I went for a walk in the morning, but now – it’s to dark to go on walk in the morning.
You can get copies of these prayers to download for free from MaryWithYou (someone I met through CatholicsOnline.net)
I suggest writing one a day for 15 days while you listen to the YouTube video. Then maybe saying the prayers will become a part of your routine. I don’t know, let me know how it works – I really want to do it!
Why?
Because not only are they beautiful prayers and really lead you to think about Jesus’ passion, it was recommended to me by a friend who had an INCREDIBLE REVERSION story!
She credits her amazing journey back to the fullness of the faith to her sister praying this novena. It was after her sister prayed this year long novena for her and her family that she went through a tremendous reversion and now serves God in ways that are incredibly remarkable.
Read more about this friend here: A NaPro doctor is Closer than You Think
Write a prayer to Saint Gianna, our heavenly physician.
Say a novena to all the saints that were doctors and scientists! Please, this pandemic needs to go away!
I have a few Saint Gianna holy cards (different than the one pictured above) if you want one, email me!
A novena to Saint Gianna for the intention of ending this pandemic and the need for social distancing would be great!
I also found this lovely prayer from the My Catholic Life blog.
A Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic
See the whole prayer here: MyCatholic.Life
Most Merciful and Triune God,
We come to You in our weakness.
We come to You in our fear.
We come to You with trust.
For You alone are our hope.
We place before You the disease present in our world.
We turn to You in our time of need.
Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into Your Eternal Home.
see the whole prayer over at mycatholic.life
Draw One Decade of the Rosary, pray as you color flowers.
This Rosary Blanket is my new favorite think! It is so inspiring! It is made by Paige, owner of Shop Fiat to Halo. If you want to purchase a blanket, use the code CHOCOLATE for 20% off.
I think this picture would be great to look at as you sketch, color and pray a decade of the Rosary in your prayer journal!
I can think of more prompts, but I don’t want to overwhelm you!
If you want more prompts, comment below! Also remember you can get 40 prayer journal prompts when you subscribe to prayerwinechocolate.com’s newsletter.
Have a pre-teen or teen you are hoping will develop a love for prayer journaling?
Here you go!!!
