Review: Ellie Claire 365-Day Devotional Journals

Are you looking for something different for your devotional time next year? If so, Ellie Claire's 365-Day Devotional Journals may be just what you need!

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Journal #1: Peace begins with Me

We pray for peace. We beg for it from others. We make speeches about it. But in the end, the only peace most of us can control is that little portion we display for the world to see. If we are at peace, the chaos around us seems to calm down. Our peace affects others. And the Giver of peace awaits to give us the gift that can change our world. It begins with a prayer. It begins with me.

The cover of this journal fits the theme perfectly—the theme is "Peace begins with Me," and the blue-green pattern just exudes peace and calming. This journal would be perfect for someone who likes to write out their prayers. I say that because each entry concludes with a short prayer, and it would be easy to expand on that in the journaling space. Each day begins with a Bible verse or two, then there's the devotional, and it closes with the prayer, which flows directly out of the devotional's topic. 

Journal #2: Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

A 365-day devotional journal to help you spend time with Jesus through quiet time, prayers, and reflection.

When life gets busy, it's easy to forget to spend time with God. This 365-day devotional journal offers encouraging meditations to help you spend a few moments turning your eyes on Jesus before your hectic day begins. After short devotions and Scripture for each day of the year, you will also find light journaling lines and ample space to record your thoughts, hopes, and prayers -- just what you need to start each and every day with the reminder that God is always by your side.

This is the journal I was most drawn to by the cover. It's just so pretty! Each day's entry begins with a line from a hymn or worship song, followed by the devotional. A suggested scripture is listed (just the reference), and it closes with a prayer. I would probably use some of the journaling space to write out the Bible verses—I actually don't mind that the verses aren't printed in the journal, as I like the practice of looking up verses in my own Bible.

Journal #3: The Earth Is the Lord's, and Everything in It

A devotional journal exploring God's magnificent creation.

From the small whisper of a snowflake to the large circumference of a baobab tree, all of nature is the creative expression of God. When we embrace His creative nature by taking the time to stop, notice, and connect, our hearts are encouraged and souls refreshed. Respond to the devotions, add your own creative writing, or keep track of prayers on the journaling lines.

This journal is slightly different than the other two, as most of the entries are written in first person singular (lots of the use of "I"). Since that's the case, and a list of writers is included at the beginning, I think it would've been nice to know which writer wrote each day's devotional (kind of like Our Daily Bread does). These entries begin with a verse, followed by a devotional, and concluded by a prayer. The prayers don't feel as open-ended as the prayers in the other two journals, as the sentence prayers here all conclude with "Amen." Perhaps it's just me, but I would have difficulty continuing a prayer when my brain had already heard "Amen." So this is my least favorite of the three (even though I love the peacocks on the cover), but I'm probably just being picky 😉.

Bottom Line

All of these journals are made well with thick paper that pens won't bleed through. They all have a ribbon marker and elastic closures and include plenty of journaling space. All could be excellent choices for a yearly devotional/journal; it just depends on what you're looking for as to which one you'd choose!

Buy the journals:
Peace Begins with Me: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Earth Is the Lord's, and Everything In It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these journals free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."