Dear Jesus

Since high school, I’ve journaled on and off. Usually a lot of journaling happens when I’m on retreat or at a conference, but I’ve also had rhythms of journaling every day. I’m fascinated by different methods and structures people use for journaling.

One that I’ve tried recently is just writing anything that comes to mind first thing in the morning. Some people call it morning pages—in many ways it’s just a brain dump. I’ve done this after my prayer in the mornings a few times. It has value.

But I think a very simple, small action can change the way this works. And this applies not just to journaling but to our prayer in general.

It’s actually two simple words: Dear Jesus.

When we start our prayer or start our journaling with “Dear Jesus,” it frames it as a letter to Him. It frames everything that follows as something we are addressing to Him, not just thinking about or writing about.

I’m not just writing about what happened today—I am taking that to the Lord. I’m not just thinking about what’s on my mind or what’s happening or what’s bothering me—I’m taking that to Him and asking for His help. I’m offering it up. I’m thanking Him.

Not just generically speaking it into the universe. To Him.

Those two words shift everything. Suddenly it’s not just self-reflection or venting or processing. It’s conversation. It’s relationship. It’s taking whatever is in your head and your heart and directing it toward the One who can actually do something about it.

It’s the difference between talking to yourself and talking to Jesus. Which is a big difference.