I was given a copy of Ink and Willow's prayer journal to review. These thoughts are my honest opinion about the product. For a full look at the gift books they offer, click here.

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At an early age I remember learning how to pray. Fold your hands, close your eyes (no peeking which was so hard) and bow your head. I still teach the young children at our church to pray this way. It just feels right among a classroom of squirming littles. 

I've learned a lot about prayer since then but much of prayer still remains a mystery. 

Over the years, I've tried to keep a prayer journal. It always ended up seeming boring. Not that God answering prayer is ever boring, but the monotony of jotting down what to pray for in a blank notebook every day was too cumbersome for me. It works for others though.

I've learned a lot about prayer since then but much of prayer still remains a mystery.

In the morning, I talk to God first thing. We go forward from there. I'm not great at sitting quietly for any great length of time but I'm still working on that. Adding prayer books has helped guide my words. I've learned about liturgy of the hours and someday I'm going to find the discipline to intentionally pray at least three times in one day, like they did in ancient times, and thousands still do today. 

I've learned a lot about prayer since then but much of prayer still remains a mystery.

For years I've written down the prayers requests from the women I lead in Bible study. I'd think of them throughout the week and lift them up in prayer. A few years ago, God prompted me to be more intentional about this as well. I keep that book beside my Bible that I read daily, and I spend a few minutes each morning lifting these women up by name.

I've learned a lot about prayer since then but much of prayer still remains a mystery.

This prayer journey is why I was excited to review a copy of Ink and Willow's new book, My Prayer Journey: A 52-week guided journal to inspire a deeper connection with God. This remarkable book is a love offering from a design team. Here are some highlights:

• Textured cover feels formal

• Watercolor paintings and splotches throughout

• Prayer request log at the front prompts personal & intercessory prayer

• Fifty-two weeks of journaling pages... "I am thankful for, I am worried about, I am praying for."

• Scripture meditation pages

• Quotes from Christian leaders

• Lists of topical scriptures addressing things like anxiety and hope

• Writing prompts, prayers and hymns

This isn't just a book, it's a companion. I'm going to keep it beside my Bible, my intercessory prayer sheets and my prayer books all year long. Although prayer still remains a mystery to me, I've learned this for certain, it brings us into the very presence of God. While we are there, he listens to us, he moves us, he changes us. May we be a people of prayer. Amen.