Looking for morning journal prompts to help you grow closer to God? 

Grab your coffee mug and let’s sit here at my kitchen table. There’s room next to me. And can I just say? I love to journal, and it would be my joy to be your journaling mentor.

If you’ve ever opened a journal in the morning and thought, Okay … what am I supposed to write? … you’re in the right place.

Morning journaling doesn’t have to be complicated or take half an hour. You also don’t have to consider yourself a writer. And you definitely don’t need perfect penmanship. A simple journal prompt can help you slow your thoughts, notice what’s happening in your heart, practice gratitude, bring your worries to God, and begin your day with greater intention.

And there’s something especially meaningful about meeting with God in the morning. It’s a rhythm Jesus Himself modeled.

As Mark tells us, “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35 NIV).

Now, I’m not saying Jesus will wake you up at “dark o’thirty” every day for a holy meetup (though He might!). The important thing here isn’t the time, it’s the Who. 

You don’t need a perfect morning routine, a fancy journal, or pages and pages of beautiful words. You simply need a place to begin.

That’s what these morning journal prompts are for.

Below, you’ll find simple prompts to help you talk with God, practice gratitude, check in with your heart, and consider how you want to step into the day ahead.

Pick some prompts that speak to you, grab your journal, and let’s begin.

10 Morning Journal Prompts to Help You Grow Closer to God

Not sure what to write? Start with just one of these prompts. You don’t need to answer them all or even work through them in order. Choose one or two that meet you where you are this morning, and write whatever comes to mind.

Think of these prompts less like an assignment and more like a doorway into an honest conversation with God.

1. Lord, this is what’s on my heart today . . .
2. Here’s how I saw You at work yesterday . . .
3. These are the lies I’m tempted to believe this morning . . .
4. What truth from God combats those lies?
5. God, what do you want me to know about You today?
6. What do I need to release to You right now?
7. This morning, I thank You for . . .
8. Here’s where I am in need of healing today . . .
9. God, what would it look like for me to live with holy purpose today? I’m listening …
10. God, how can I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength today?

8 Positive Morning Journal Prompts for Gratitude and Joy

Some mornings, journaling can be as simple as noticing what is good. Gratitude helps us pay attention to gifts we might otherwise hurry past and to recognize God’s goodness in the ordinary moments of our lives.

Try one of these positive journal prompts to begin your morning with gratitude and joy:

1. What is one ordinary gift I don’t want to overlook today?
2. What am I looking forward to today?
3. What made me smile yesterday?
4. Where have I noticed God’s goodness lately?
5. Who am I especially grateful for this morning, and why?
6. What is going well in my life that I sometimes take for granted?
7. What is something beautiful I can notice right where I am?
8. How can I bring a little joy to someone else today?

6 Morning Journal Prompts for Hard or Anxious Mornings

Of course, not every morning feels joyful. Some mornings we wake up worried, disappointed, grieving, overwhelmed, or simply weary.

Those mornings don’t disqualify us from meeting with God. In fact, they may be the mornings when an honest conversation with Him matters most.

If today is one of those mornings, try one of these:

1. What feels especially heavy this morning?
2. What am I trying to control that I need to place in God’s hands?
3. What is true about God even though my circumstances are hard?
4. What do I need from God today?
5. What is one small, faithful next step I can take today?
6. If I could say absolutely anything to God right now, what would I say?

But, Jennifer, I’m Not a Journaler!

If you feel like you’re back in freshman English class, staring at a blank screen with a bad case of writer’s block, let’s pause right here.

Journaling isn’t something you’re good or bad at. It’s something you either do or don’t do.  

Maybe you’re not a journaler (yet) because no one told you that you can be. But now this tug to grow closer to God has your attention. 

Here’s the thing: Journaling is not about perfect handwriting or correctly spelled words. It’s not about punctuation or grammar or any of the things you were graded on in school. It’s not about how much you write. It’s simply that you write.

Putting pen to paper means that you’re a journaler.

Writing down your prayers, your gratitude, or the swirling thoughts as you process through something with God? All of this counts. In fact, journaling can actually be a form of prayer.

And yes, journaling can be digital, too. If you’d rather open a note on your phone or type on a computer, you are just as much a journaler as someone who prefers paper.

Repeat after me: I am a journaler.

Then, pick one of the morning journal prompts above and simply begin. Keep your conversation with God casual, like you’d talk to a friend.

What Should I Write in My Morning Journal?

If you’re wondering what to write in your morning journal, start with what’s already there: your real, ordinary (and wonderful) actual life.

You don’t have to come to the page with something profound to say. Write about what’s on your heart. Write about what you’re grateful for. Write about what you’re worried about. Write down a verse you want to carry with you. Write about the person you can’t stop thinking about, the decision you need to make, or the thing you’re looking forward to.

Most mornings, you can begin with a few simple questions:

What is God saying to me through His Word?
Write down a verse or phrase that stands out to you. Then jot down why you think it caught your attention.

What am I grateful for?
Name something specific, even something small. The first sip of coffee counts.

What’s happening inside of me?
Check in with yourself honestly. How are your heart, soul, mind, and strength this morning? What feels full? What feels depleted? Where might you need God’s help?

What do I need to give to God?
Write down the worry, fear, frustration, person, or situation you’ve been carrying. Your journal can become a place where you turn what you’re carrying into prayer.

How do I want to step into this day?
Think about what matters most today. Is there someone you want to encourage? Something you need to accomplish? A way you want to show up differently?

And remember: you don’t have to answer all of these every morning.

Some mornings you might fill a page. Other mornings, you might write three sentences while the coffee is brewing.

Both count.

And remember: you don’t have to answer all of these every morning.

Some mornings you might fill a page. Other mornings, you might write three sentences while the coffee is brewing.

Both count.

Because ultimately, morning journaling isn’t about how many words you put on a page. It’s about creating space to meet with God.

If you and I were still sitting together at my kitchen table, this is the point where I’d lean over and remind you of this promise:

“The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
– Psalm 145:18 NLT

I want you to believe down to your toes that God is moved by your desire to be closer to Him.

Bring your expectancy, and He’ll meet you.

Bring your thanks, and He’ll meet you.

Bring your worries, your questions, your grief. God longs to meet you there.

Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Keep journaling. 

A Simple 5-Minute Morning Journaling Routine

Maybe you’re thinking, Jennifer, this all sounds wonderful. But my mornings are already full.

I hear you.

That’s exactly why I created The Every Morning Journal: 5 Minutes to Start Your Day with Faith, Joy, and Productivity.

I wanted to create something that would take all the guesswork out of morning journaling—no staring at a blank page wondering what to write, no elaborate routine, and no pressure to fill page after page.

Just five intentional minutes with God to help you begin your day well.

Each morning, The Every Morning Journal gives you a simple place to:

• Connect with God through Scripture
• Practice gratitude
• Check in with your heart, soul, mind, and strength
• Reflect on a fresh (and sometimes surprising!) journal prompt

And guess what? You don’t have to have a “good morning” to use it.

You can bring the morning you actually have.

Five minutes. Your real life. God right there with you.

Perhaps someone — a friend, a family member, a co-worker, or a neighbor — came to mind as you journaled. Would you consider sharing these morning journaling prompts to help her get closer to God? 

Frequently Asked Questions About Morning Journaling

What should I write in my morning journal?

Start with what’s actually on your heart and mind. You might write a prayer, something you’re grateful for, a verse that speaks to you, a worry you need to give to God, or an intention for the day. If you’re staring at a blank page, choose one of the morning journal prompts above and simply begin.

When is the best time of day to journal?

There’s no wrong time to journal, but I especially love morning journaling because it gives you an opportunity to connect with God before the demands of the day take over. Even five minutes can help you begin the day with greater faith and intention.

How long should I journal in the morning?

You don’t need thirty minutes, or even fifteen. Some days you may want to write several pages, while other days five minutes is plenty. Consistency matters more than length. Start small and choose a rhythm you can realistically return to.

Do I need to journal every morning?

No. There’s no rule that says you have to journal every day. But journaling consistently can help it become a familiar rhythm rather than one more thing you have to remember to do. If you miss a morning, simply begin again the next day.

Can journaling be a form of prayer?

Absolutely. Prayer doesn’t have to be spoken aloud. Almost all of my journaling reads like a prayer! Writing honestly to God about your gratitude, questions, fears, hopes, and needs can become a meaningful way to pray and spend time with Him.

What are morning pages, and are they the same as morning journaling?

Morning pages generally refer to the practice of writing several pages of free-flowing thoughts first thing in the morning, without editing or overthinking them. Morning journaling can be much more flexible. You might use a journal prompt, write a prayer, reflect on Scripture, practice gratitude, or simply write about what’s on your mind.

Article by Jennifer Dukes Lee with Twyla Franz