How to build a Prayer Routine That Helps You Hear from God

Kelsey Cooke
Aug 25
2 min read

Has your prayer life felt a little inconsistent lately? Maybe even messy or confusing?

Sister, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there.

Today, I want to help guide you in creating a simple, meaningful prayer routine—one that helps you actually hear from God.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”— Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Maybe you've seen the social media trends of prayer closets, color-coded Bibles, elaborate journaling spreads, and prayer rooms—and you want to be that girl, but honestly… it feels overwhelming.

I get it.

I don’t have a Pinterest-worthy prayer space either. Right now, my routine includes a prayer journal and a study Bible—and guess what? That’s enough. I often study the Word with a baby on my lap, kids shouting in the background, and the TV blaring. But Jesus meets me right there, and He will meet you where you are, too.

4 Simple Steps to Start a Meaningful Prayer Routine

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Journaling is a powerful, creative, and spiritual outlet. You don’t need fancy tools—just head to your local dollar store and grab:

A cute journal
Pens and highlighters
Sticky notes or tabs
Stickers, washi tape, or anything that inspires you

Choose supplies that make you excited to sit down and spend time with God.

Step 2: Make It Yours

Personalize your journal. Decorate it with stickers, colorful pens, or leave it simple—whatever suits your style. This is your sacred space, your personal altar of conversation with God.

Step 3: Pray Over Your Journal and Bible

Before you write a single word, dedicate this space to God. Ask Him to meet you in your quiet moments—whether you're journaling during nap time or between errands.

Pray something like: "Lord, speak to my heart. Use this space to grow my faith and deepen our relationship. I want to hear from you. I want to know you more."

Step 4: Pray with Intention

Having a simple structure can help you stay focused—especially if you're juggling little blessings. Here are two helpful prayer methods:

The PRAY Method:

P – Praise
R – Repent
A – Ask
Y – Yield

The ACTS Method (my personal favorite):

A – Adoration: Worship and praise God for who He is
C – Confession: Repent for any sin or disobedience
T – Thanksgiving: Thank God specifically for His blessings and provision
S – Supplication: Ask God for your needs and questions—then be still and listen

Record your thoughts, impressions, and any Scripture that comes to mind. Later, you can look back and see how God answered your prayers—often in ways you never expected.

Prayer Journaling Changed My Life

Prayer journaling is how I began my personal relationship with God. It changed the way I pray, the way I read Scripture, and the way I understand His heart.

I promise, sister—if you commit to it, even imperfectly, it will transform your walk with God.

Let go of the pressure to be perfect or aesthetic. Just begin.

Jesus isn’t waiting for silence and perfection—He’s waiting for you.