Gratitude Journal Ideas That Help You Listen for God’s Presence

Hello, Friend! If you’re reading this because you received a birthday gift 🎁 from me, I’m so glad you’re here.

Each year, I invite our email subscribers to join what I call our Birthday Blessing Bunch. It’s optional and by invitation only. Those who choose to join share their birth date, shipping address, and favorite color so I can send a small birthday blessing as a way to celebrate them.

In 2026, that gift includes a magnetic bookmark featuring a phrase from Psalm 103: “Praise the Lord, O my soul,” along with a QR code that brings you to this page.

This is the fourth year I’ve been able to send birthday blessings, and it’s one of the most meaningful things I do all year. There’s something sacred about marking time—both birthdays and the ordinary days in between—and remembering that each one matters to God.

If you found this post through a search or a shared link and you’re not part of our email list, you’re warmly invited to join. New subscribers receive an invitation during our welcome emails to join the Birthday Blessing Bunch. Whether or not you choose to participate, my hope is that our emails offer gentle encouragement and faith-filled ideas you can return to when you need them.

Psalm 103 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, which is why I chose to highlight it this year. If you received the bookmark, you might simply use it to mark your place in your journal—nothing fancy or complicated. That’s how I’m using mine.

As I turn back to that spot day after day, the words “Praise the Lord, O my soul” have become a quiet invitation to pause, reflect, and turn my attention toward gratitude and God’s presence.

In this post, I’m inviting you to come alongside me as I try a new journaling practice—one that has been gently shaping the way I notice, listen, and give thanks.

Gratitude Journal Ideas That Invite God Into the Conversation

I didn’t go looking for new gratitude journal ideas—this one found me.

One Sunday night at church, my friend, Bekka, shared a journaling practice with our group that immediately caught my attention. Instead of just explaining it, she did something I loved: she set aside time for us to actually try it. Pens out. Paper in front of us. No pressure—just space to practice together.

What she shared that night was something called interactive gratitude. We wrote a few short sentences about something we were grateful for, and then we paused to consider what God might lovingly say back to us about it. That simple shift—from only writing to God to also listening—felt both unfamiliar and deeply meaningful.

I left that evening intrigued enough to keep thinking about it, so I purchased the book (Joyful Journey)  that explains the practice more fully.

As I began reading, I was introduced to another practice called Immanuel journaling. While Bekka had only shared the interactive gratitude portion with us, the book opened the door to this broader spiritual journaling practice—one that focuses on becoming more aware of God’s presence and voice.

What made this feel especially timely is that my word for 2026 is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Discovering a spiritual journal practice centered on noticing and listening for God’s presence felt like a gentle gift—one that fit perfectly with what I’m already praying and paying attention to this year.

I’m still learning. Still practicing. But these journaling ideas have already begun to shape the way I approach gratitude, faith, and quiet moments with God—and that’s what I want to share with you as I go.

A Spiritual Journal Entry Rooted in Interactive Gratitude

When I tried interactive gratitude for the first time, I kept my entry very simple.

I wrote one short sentence in my spiritual journal: Thank You for being with me no matter where I am.

That was it. No flowery language. No long explanation. Just an honest acknowledgment of something I’m deeply grateful for.

Then I paused.

Instead of immediately moving on—or filling the page with my own thoughts—I left space to listen. I asked myself what God might lovingly say back to me about that truth. What followed was gentle, personal, and longer than I expected.

I won’t write out the entire response here. You can see it in the photo of my journal page, and even then, I want to hold some of it quietly.

But a couple of lines stood out to me, and I’ll share those:

“No matter what you’re feeling; no matter where you are - spiritually or physically - I am ever present…always living, always faithful.”

 “...on this earth, you need Me…to bear the weight of humanity.”

Seeing those words written beneath my own sentence changed the tone of the page. This wasn’t just gratitude anymore—it was relationship. This kind of spiritual journaling slowed me down and reminded me that gratitude can be a place where God meets us, not just a list we complete.

If you’re curious about trying this yourself, I want to encourage you to start small. One sentence of thanks is enough. You don’t need the “right” words—just honest ones.

Spiritual Journaling: Embracing Immanuel Journaling to Deepen Your Faith

The other journaling practice shared in E. James Wilder’s Joyful Journey is called Immanuel Journaling and is one of the most transformative spiritual journaling practices I’ve discovered. It’s a beautiful way of opening your heart to God’s presence and listening for His gentle voice.

Here’s how this five-step process can transform your journaling for faith:

1️⃣ Step 1: I Can See You

The first step in Immanuel journaling is to imagine how God sees you in that exact moment. It’s a gentle, almost childlike practice of writing down what you imagine God would say if He were describing you from His loving perspective.

For example, you might write, “I can see you sipping your coffee and feeling a little weighed down.” Or, “I can see the way your shoulders are scrunched up from the stress of the day.”

It’s not about being profound or poetic. It’s simply about acknowledging that God sees you right where you are, in the small details of your life. It’s a way to feel noticed, understood, and gently held in His loving gaze.

2️⃣ Step 2: I Can Hear You

The second step of Immanuel journaling invites you to imagine what God hears from you—both in your spoken words and in the quiet of your heart.

As you write, think of it as God gently reflecting back to you what He hears. It might be as simple as, “I can hear you crying quietly when you feel alone,” or “I hear your whispered prayers even when they’re not spoken out loud.”

It’s not just about the words you say; it’s also about acknowledging what God hears in the unspoken corners of your mind and heart. Maybe it’s, “I hear your worries about the future,” or “I notice the way you doubt your own worth.” You can even jot down these thoughts in bullet points if there are many.

This step is a reminder that God recognizes every part of you—your spoken words, your silent thoughts, and even the feelings you can’t quite put into words. He hears them all, and He listens with infinite compassion.

3️⃣ Step 3: I Can Understand How Hard This Is For You

The third step in Immanuel journaling is about recognizing that God not only sees and hears us, but He also understands the depth of what we’re going through. This step is about writing what you imagine God would say to validate your feelings and offer comfort.

God knows your history, your struggles, and the reasons why a particular issue feels so big to you. He sees the intensity and impact of what you’re facing. You might write something like, “I understand how overwhelming this feels for you,” or “I know how deeply sad this situation makes you.”

In this step, you’re allowing yourself to hear God’s loving validation. It’s like receiving a comforting embrace through words—a reminder that you are fully known and understood. This validation naturally brings a sense of peace and comfort, helping you realize that you’re not alone in your struggles.

4️⃣ Step 4: I Am Glad to Be With You

The fourth step is all about hearing God’s reassurance that He is glad to be with you, no matter what you’re going through or how you’re feeling. This step invites you to write down what you imagine God might say to you in a kind, tender, and loving way.

Whether or not you feel connected to God at the moment, none of your weaknesses or struggles can keep Him away. You might write something like, “I am always glad to interact with you,” or “I never condemn you for your struggles.”

This step is a gentle reminder that God treats your weaknesses with tenderness and compassion. It’s about experiencing the unwavering love and presence of God, who delights in being with you exactly as you are.

5️⃣ Step 5: I Can Do Something About What You Are Going Through

The fifth and final step of Immanuel journaling is to write what you imagine God might say about how He will be with you and help you through whatever you’re facing. God doesn’t just validate our pain—He also guides and sustains us in difficult situations.

In this step, you might write something like, “I am with you every step of the way,” or “I will bring you peace and strength.” You can also jot down any scriptures, quotes, or Bible stories that come to mind—reminders of His constant presence, unfailing love, and pure goodness.

This step is about capturing the assurance that God is not only aware of your struggles but is actively present, ready to help, and faithful to lead you through them. It’s a reminder that you are never alone, and His promises are a source of hope and strength.

🩵 Optional Step: Sharing Your Immanuel Journaling in Community

While Immanuel journaling is a deeply personal practice, there’s also a beautiful invitation to share these experiences in community. Reading your entries aloud with a trusted friend or a small group can transform what you’ve experienced alone into a shared journey of love, compassion, and growth.

I’ve found this to be true in my own life. After giving a friend a copy of the book, we decided to practice Immanuel journaling individually and then meet once a month over lunch to share our journaling.

This practice of blending the words of our left brain with the emotional experiences of our right brain has amplified the hope and joy we feel. It’s a powerful way to witness how God returns us to joy from distress and restores us to peace in His presence.

Sharing your Immanuel journaling in a safe, supportive community can deepen your faith and help you experience the joy of living life in Christ together. It turns personal reflections into collective encouragement, amplifying the news of hope and fostering deeper connections.

Embracing the Journey: Deepening Your Faith Through Spiritual Journaling

As you explore these spiritual journaling practices, remember that each step is an invitation to deepen your faith and experience God’s presence in a meaningful way. Whether you’re practicing interactive gratitude, engaging in Immanuel journaling, or sharing your journey with a friend, these journaling ideas can transform the way you connect with God.

I encourage you to try these steps, give yourself grace in the process, and let your journal become a place where you meet with God daily. Journaling for faith isn’t about perfection; it’s about growing in awareness of His love and guidance in every moment.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. May your spiritual journal become a cherished space where you encounter God’s presence, and may you find peace, hope, and joy in the process.

I am, as always, inAWE. - Kasey