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How to Keep a Prayer Journal
Keeping a prayer journal is an effective way to focus your prayers and keep track of your prayer requests and answers. While the process is tailored to each individual, here are some suggestions to get you started.
Things You'll Need:
- Journal
- Writing implement
- Bible
- Step 1
Choose something that feels comfortable to write in. Experiment with side-bound and top-bound books, as well as lined and unlined paper. Some people do not feel comfortable writing on a thick pad of paper, so a slimmer notebook would be a better choice if this describes your preference. You can use anything from a spiral-bound notebook to a fancy logbook with a tooled-leather binding.
- Step 2
Invest in a journal that is aesthetically pleasing. Your journal is a travelogue of a spiritual journey. Choose a journal with a cover and binding that reflect its significance.
- Step 3
Choose a writing implement that is comfortable to write with. Regardless of whether you prefer pencil or pen, blue, black, or colored ink, ballpoint or fountain pen, find something that is easy to hold and use.
- Step 4
Keep a Bible on hand, if you like, so that you can add verses to your entries.
- Step 1
Date your entry. It may be helpful to divide the entry into two sections: "Petitions" or "Requests" and "Praises." Take a few moments to reflect. Under the "Petitions" heading, record your prayer requests. This would include personal requests and requests on behalf of others.
- Step 2
Under the "Praises" heading, record items you are thankful for and prayers that have been answered. You can pray for each item as you list it and each section as you finish it, or you can wait until you are finished recording the entire entry and use it as an outline as you pray.
- Step 3
Leave some space at the bottom or on the reverse side of every entry page. This is where you will record answers to prayers, observations, and scripture quotes that seem relevant to situations you are praying for, notes from daily devotions. Review the journal pages every few days or weeks and record any answers or observations.
- Step 4
Make your prayer journal part of your routine. Commit to writing in it on a set schedule. Stick with it and you will be rewarded with a tangible record of your prayer life as it unfolds.
The Tools
Writing in Your Journal
How to Make a Palm Sunday Cross from a Palm Leaf Blade
Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus returning to Jerusalem. During mass, worshippers hold palm fronds or palm leaf blades to commemorate his arrival, just as his disciples held out palm fronds in front of him as he rode into town.
To save your leaf after mass and keep it in good condition, you can fold the palm blade into a crucifix. These instruction will show you how to make a sturdy and long lasting cross; all you need is a pair of hands.
- Step 1
First, use a palm blade that is at least 30 times as long as it is wide. So, if the blade is 1 inch wide at its widest point, then the length should be at least 30 inches, or 2 and a half feet. If the palm leaf is too fat, split it down the middle, and fold it into two crosses.
- Step 2
Starting from the base of the leaf, fold up about a sixth of the length, and then fold up another sixth. Click thumbnail to enlarge. This forms the vertical part of the cross.
- Step 3
Next, take the long part and fold it perpendicular to the section that you folded in Step 1. Fold it about a third of the way down from the top of the cross. Then fold it across and around the back. This forms the horizontal part of the cross.
- Step 4
Using the remainder of the palm leaf, wrap the thinner end around the crux of the cross to secure it. Tuck the last bit inside the cross.
- Step 5
At the top is a loop through which you can pass a piece of string to make a necklace, or wall hanging. The palm leaf is also porous enough so that you can use regular glue to decorate the cross.
How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Week
* Water -
Before every meal drink 16 ounces of water prior to eating. Doing this can help you lose weight, as you will eat less but still be full. This helps to encourage you to get the recommended amount of water daily and lose weight.- Step 2
* Eat Less Calories Then You Burn -
In order to lose weight quickly you need to eat less calories then your body actually burns. One pound of fat equals 3500 calories, so you need to burn more calories each day in order to lose weight. All during the day, even in your sleep your body is burning calories. You can easily burn more calories then you eat by increasing activity and cutting calories in your daily diet. Just by cutting 500 calories a day and increasing exercise you can lose weight quickly. This is the best way to lose weight and remain healthy. So cut out the bad food and increase the good foods. - Step 3
* Increase Fiber -
Eating more fiber each day will help to increase weight loss. Include whole grains, raw vegetables, slightly cooked vegetables, fruits, fiber enriched cereals, whole wheat pasta, beans, etc. In the beginning if you eat to much fiber you may experience bloating, cramps and gas, so do it gradually day by day. Also increase the amount of water you drink as it helps your body to digest the fiber more efficiently. - Step 4
* Stop Eating Sugary Foods -
Just dropping the sugar from your diet can help you lose weight quickly. Make sure that you stay away from it all together if you want to lose weight quickly. This means no sugar in your coffee, on your cereals, or eating that candy bar!
* Cut the carbs from your diet. Carbohydrates turn into sugar inside our body's and makes you hold onto body weight and fat. Omitting carbs from your diet can help you drastically drop the unwanted pounds. These days there are many alternatives to diets without carbs that are tasty and nutritious.
* Increase fiber into your diet.
* Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet.
* Make sure you eat your dairy items. You can choose to have low fat or even fat free milks and yogurt's. - Step 5
* Watch Your Portion Size -
Many people have no concept of the amount of food that hey should be eating. Here are some helpful tips about portion sizes...
3 ounces of meat, fish, chicken, etc. is about the size of the palm of a woman's hand or a deck of playing cards.
An ounce of cheese is about the size of your thumb.
A teaspoon of butter is the about the size of your thumb tip.
Learning the correct portions that you should consume can greatly improve your weight lose.
* Stay Away From Fried Foods -
* Watch the calories, they count when you are trying to lose weight. Stick to a diet within a certain range of calories consumption ideal for you. - Step 6
* Exercise -
Many of us may feel that we simply do not have the time to incorporate exercise int your busy lifestyle. That is just an excuse! There are many ways to get the exercise that you need. When you are at work take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park a little farther then normal so you walk farther. Instead of going out to the movies where you just sit, do something physical like bowling, golfing, dancing, etc. Every extra bit of exercise helps!
Remember that any diet that promises you a fast and easy way to lose weight without even trying, is a fake! They are relying on the hopeful ones that want to believe there is a miracle cure to lose weight out there to get themselves rich. They are selling you a fantasy and that s the bottom line. - Step 7
It takes work and commitment to lose weight and nothing less. Once you start to make these changes to your diet and include exercise you need to be consistent. It will all pay off when you are losing weight the healthy way and your friends and relatives that are still trying all the new so called "breakthroughs" on the market are still struggling.
- Step 8
You need to focus on the positive changes that you have done and if you slip up once is awhile just know that its O.K. Focus on the positive and not the negative. Remember to reward yourself with a day off every so often to help keep you motivated and determined.