Praying With a Pen: The Girlfriends' Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling

by Mary Beth Weisenburger

Would you like to become comfortable with conversing with God one-on-one, informally and intimately? Would you like to hear quiet, gentle answers to your prayers and petitions, your worries and anxieties, your deepest dreams and desires?

Author Mary Beth Weisenburger shows how you can do just that–through prayer journaling. By praying with a pen, she discovered an arms-wide-open God, one who quietly listened and lovingly responded to her, day after day. And she promises that he’ll do the same for you.

Show up on the page with a pen in hand, and he will meet you there. In fact, he’s already there, waiting for you. He has been calling you and is delighted that you want to spend quiet time with him. Don’t keep him waiting.

Genres: Faith, Catholic, Nonfiction, Religion, Writing, Self Help, Christian

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 5, 2017

Reviews

[Christy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m Catholic so my prayer life tended to be more traditional when I was growing up. Eventually, I learned to pray like I was having a conversation with God…in the car, waiting in lines, while on hold on the phone, pretty much anywhere. However, recently I found that I was very stressed and I had quite a few unresolved feelings about certain situations in my life. I was struggling spiritually. A friend told me about this online store for books about prayer. I found Weisenberger’s Praying with a Pen: The Girlfriend’s Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling. I was intrigued and daunted right away. I’ve never kept a prayer journal. I felt like I was too busy to do this. Then I realized after doing it that it actually made me feel less stressed. I can definitely take 15 minutes out of my day for this if it’s going to help with stress.

The book is set up in a self-help kind of style. Weisenberger explains her own faith background and how she came to prayer journaling. She talks about the benefits - both spiritually and mentally. The chapters are organized in such a way to introduce a newbie to the process of prayer journaling. She gives tips, advice, suggestions, and prompts. She includes Bible verses and quotes from the Saints as inspiration. I read a single chapter a week and then gave myself a task to help guide my journaling. Then I would reflect on the process - what worked, what didn’t. Then I would add or refine my process based on the next chapter. It worked really well. Some suggestions are right up my alley; others don’t fit my style. That’s okay. By the end, I felt like the last three chapters were unnecessary or repetitive of early ones. I rushed through those and didn’t get as much inspiration from them. Overall, most of the chapters helped to guide my prayer routine.

As a newbie to prayer journaling, I would recommend this as a great guide for beginners. I did read this with a friend who had been journaling for years. She liked the book because it helped her refine her process. It seems like the book is effective for those who are new and experienced. I found this to be an inspirational, funny, helpful and easy read.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't wait to read a chapter of this book every day, and started journaling right along as I read. While it's not a daily habit yet, it is enjoyable and brings great depth to my prayer life. Highly recommend!

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift from one of my best friends. The tagline definitely hit home for me, The Girlfriend's Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling. Cause for me, journaling is stressful. Journaling has so many rules and trends; I always feel like I'm messing it up. Bullet journal are suppose to be quick and easy yet I spend hours making everything aesthetically pleasing. I know it's not just me, right?

Looking back at it, I haven't had the best luck with journals. I wondered how does Mary Beth Weisenburger know my deepest struggles with journaling. From I just don't have time to my personal favorite, I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up somehow.

As I progressed through the book, Mary Beth Weisenburger went from being seen as the author, to Mary Beth my friend who understands and cares for me. I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this book yet this journey is one I'm glad I took. Now I'm waking up excited to journal and spend time in quiet. Something I've never experienced before. I recommend this book to anyone looking to better understand themselves and the journaling process.

[Karen Whooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! I've started the process over the last couple of weeks and I have found that it has already helped me find peace with struggles as well as find ways to really be still and listen to what Christ is yelling me.

I highly recommend this book to anyone discerning to journal as part of their prayer life!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what to think of this book when it came up in my suggestions but decided to give a read. I really liked it!! I hadn't really thought about prayer journaling before but now I can't wait to start! I would definitely recommend it.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am unsure if this book is for my age demographic. I am 24 years old, and it seemed like the author’s intended demographic was a tad older (an older female, with children and technology issues). Thus, the authors relatable anecdotes for me and my life. I do think that someone in an older demographic would like this book.

I really enjoy this beginners guide to prayer journaling. I had already been prayer journaling prior to reading this book, but I feel like my thoughts were less focused. This book contains information that will really allow me to make the most of my time prayer journaling. I cannot wait to try these prompts.

I do feel like you can engage in prayer journaling successfully without reading this book, but I appreciate the perspective of the author in helping me make the most of my prayer journaling in building my relationship with God.

[Stephanie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!! Buying it for 4 of my girlfriends TODAY! This book is key to jumpstarting and moving forward in your spiritual life via prayer. It is easy to read and gives me hope for finding peace, comfort, guidance, and **His voice** in my life!

[Bice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to the title of the book Author gives the why, how, when of “Praying with a pen” I am definitely giving this a try (after Christmas)

[Vicky Zambrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very delightful and insightful book. If you want to start a prayer journal or need new ideas for you prayer journaling this is a good book to read.

[Marianne Schietinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for prayer and/or anyone who would like to refresh/deepen their prayer life!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What great advice on how to have a closer relationship with our Lord!

[Grace Lipford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! my friend and I went through the chapters together and started prayer journals with this book as our inspiration and guide. I loved the prompts, ideas, encouragement, and prayers.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've wanted to journal or write for a long time, but I have postponed it. I pray daily, so when perusing Dynamic Catholic's website, "Praying with a Pen: The Girlfriend's Guide to Stress-Free Prayer Journaling" naturally attracted my attention.

I found the book chock filled with helpful information conveyed in a warm and friendly style that also provides a glimpse of the life of Mary Beth Weisenburger, the author. The book's content was more than a mere adaption of Julia Cameron's famous book for creative types, the
"Artist's Way" to conversing with God via prayer journaling. Mary Beth included other resources and a listing of potential journal prompts.

What I liked about the book:
- Book organization, Table of Contents, and creative chapter titles
- Cool Catholic Quotes
- Nuts & bolts of journaling practice
- Foray into the Catholic Christian resources

I feel I am ready to journal and stop procrastinating after reading this book. I will probably re-read it to extract some content.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to find something that could set me up to write and contemplate each day and this book, for women, landed in my basket. I liked it for the suggestions and humor. When finished there was 2 pages of starter questions which I may find helpful as I continue.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, easy to read and inspirational. I love her ideas and how she wrote to all women.

[Eveliene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this idea. The book was not the most riveting, but it was life changing in the way that it taught me a different way to pray. I never considered prayer journaling and I’m glad I picked this book up.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super light and quick but lots of practical tips. Would be a good book to discuss in a group.