Journal keeps prayers organized

Frontiersman staff

Is prayer more than a psychological comfort? Two Oregon women believe so, and they recently published a book on the subject.

Betty Young, a 66-year-old grandmother, and Mary Hefty, a college professor, recently wrote "I'll Pray For You," a personal prayer photojournal.

The journal alternates writing pages with clear pockets to hold photographs of people you want to include in prayer.

"Looking at the photos just pulls the prayer out of you," Young said. She calls her journal a serious tool for prayer.

Throughout the book, there are places for people to write their own prayers, whenever they think of them. Young advises people to write down their prayer requests, to note situations one is praying for and to record answered prayers.

The authors include a prayer outline page in the front of the spiral-bound book as well, to help users of the book get the most out of it.

"We all lead such busy lives, yet we know how important prayer is," Hefty said.

"Finding the right time and getting focused are the challenges. I had scraps of paper everywhere -- cards and quotes stuck in my Bible, sticky notes on the frig or in my purse about the people I'd promised to pray for," Hefty said. "The 'I'll Pray For You' journal helps me keep it all together in one place."

The idea to put together the prayer journal came to Young two months ago.

A friend was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and Young and other church members prayed.

Her friend's next visit to the doctor revealed that the cancer had disappeared.

The authors said that in medical studies, patients indicated their conditions improved if people prayed for them -- even when they didn't know they were being prayed for.

"The best part is seeing how God answers," Young said. "When I started writing down those answered prayers, I saw how involved God was in my life in the big and the little things. It is so faith building.

"With the journal, you have a reminder you can go back to again and again," Young added.

The 4-inch-by-6-inch book is $14.95. It is available direct from the publisher, Philemon Press, by calling (800) 984-8143 or e-mailing philemonpress@aol.com.