November practice

Journaling

A practical way to pay attention to God and to your own life. Not a literary project. A place to listen, reflect, write, and pray.

Start small. Ten to twenty minutes. Paper is usually better than a glowing screen. Write for an audience of One.

A simple pattern

Listen and attend Quiet yourself. Notice what is going on in your body, mind, and relationships. Ask, “Lord, what do you want me to notice?”
Reflect Look back over the day or week. Where did you sense God’s nearness? Where did you resist? What stayed with you from Scripture or the month’s book?
Write Put it on the page without polishing. Incomplete sentences are fine. Honesty beats eloquence.
Pray Turn what you wrote into conversation with God. Thanksgiving, confession, asking, surrender. End with one clear next step if one appears.

Tips that help men keep going

Same time, same place when you can. Habit beats inspiration.
Keep the journal private. If someone else might read it, you will edit yourself.
One page is enough. You are not failing if you write three sentences.
If you miss a day, start again the next day. No makeup work.

Sample prompts

Presence
Where did I notice God today? Where did I ignore him?
Soul
How is it with my soul beneath the surface?
Word
What from Scripture or the book will not leave me alone?
Relationships
Who needs my presence, apology, or encouragement?
Obedience
What is one small faithful step for the next 24 hours?

Original Kingdom Men guide inspired by themes in Brian Rice’s writing on conversational journaling (listening, attending, reflecting, writing, praying). This page is not a reprint of that material.