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How To Set Up A War Binder For Your Time With God

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Come closer. Closer..I have a secret to tell you. Setting up your very own war binder doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Yep, it’s true.

If you aren’t familiar with the term “war binder”, a war binder, also known as a faith journal, is essentially a binder or notebook with multiple sections that you use to document your walk with God.

The term ‘war binder” may have come from the movie “The War Room”, starring Karen Abercrombie, where Ms. Clara guides a struggling wife in creating her own “war room” as a place to pray, reflect on scripture and give thanks. A war binder is like having an entire war room in one convenient place. This is especially great if you don’t have a room in your house to dedicate as a war room or, you prefer something that you can take with you.

I’ve always been a creative person and have spent years scrapbooking, art journaling and other mixed media and paper arts. I’ve also kept separate scripture and prayer journals for the past few years.

Creating a war binder of my own has been on my list of things to do for some time as it can be a blend of creative and spiritual. Notice how I said “can be”? Your war binder can be whatever you want it to be.

So, What’s in a War Binder?

Whatever you want!

Here’s a list of the sections you might choose to put in your war binder:

Additionally, you can choose to add photos, drawing, printables or anything else that inspires you.

My War Binder

When I decided to set aside a Saturday morning to “play” in my office and set up a war binder, I grabbed things I’d already had on hand:

  • small 3 ring binder (mine is 8 x 8)
  • scrapbook paper
  • tab punch
  • faith based stickers and die cuts
  • washi tape
  •  

I didn’t spend any money on setting up my war binder as I had a large “stash” of items, already in my office/craft room,  that I knew would be great for this project. If you don’t have much on hand, the dollar section at Target has tons of cool things, but my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE place to find items to use in my war binder is Dayspring/Illustrated Faith. All of my stickers and die cuts were previously purchased from them.

I’ve included Amazon links to the products I used to help you in locating them.

How I Set Up My War Binder

I started with an 8 x 8 3 ring binder that I had in my closet (I actually have two of them. I’m saving the second one for when the first runs out of room 🙂 )

picture of 3 ring binder for post How to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

Bo Bunny 3 Ring Binder 8″ x 8″

For my next War Binder, I plan on using this binder from Stampin’ Up! – because it is Kraft, rather than black, my options are endless for decorating the cover and inside. Plus, it is a good bit cheaper than the Bo Bunny one.

Next, I decided what sections I wanted to include, so I knew how many dividers to make.

I decided to use the following sections:

Prayers

Gratitude

Sermon Notes

Journal

Scripture

and then grabbed some fun, two-sided scrapbook paper which I cut to 8″ x 8″.

Then I punched divider tabs from coordinating scrapbook paper, added stickers to label the tabs and placed tab protectors (you can use contact paper or laminate them) so they would hold up better.

After punching the holes, you may wish to use hole protectors to make the pages more sturdy.

I added the tab dividers to my dividers, punched holes in it and I was off to a good start.

picture of tab with text prayer for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

picture of several dividers for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

We R Memory Keepers Tabbed Punch – Round (this is the one that I used)

We R Memory Keepers Tabbed Punch – Flat

Or this round one that is more versatile

Next, I made a few pockets out of scrapbook paper to have a place for saving sermon guides, prayer requests and other tidbits that I’d like to save.

picture of divider pocket for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

So..now the basic set up was complete, it was time to fill it up and add some pizzazz to it.

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Here are some faith based scrapbook paper packages that I’ve found (some that I have), if you don’t want to use general scrapbook paper. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve used what I already had on hand for the scrapbook paper in my war binder.

For the actual pages that I will write on,  I cut lightweight scrapbook paper to fit the book, punched holes and placed a few in each section. I also used some pretty lined and grid paper that I had that was already the right size. I’m not a huge fan of the color combo but it will work just fine and it’s not about me – it’s about praise, prayer and worship to Him, right?

picture of lined pages within a three ring binder for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

The lined and grid paper that I used for my inserts is from Bo Bunny Press. I don’t believe that it is available anymore, but any paper – lined, grid or blank will do! Remember, it is YOUR prayer journal or war binder.

Personalizing My War Binder

Here’s the fun part! I was able to use my creativity to make the war binder truly mine and reflect my walk with our Savior.

I added some ink to edges of the paper, some stickers and die cuts and went to town!

picture of art supplies to personalize a binder for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

I just love the die cuts and stickers from Illustrated Faith. Here are some of my favorite Bible journaling or war binder supplies from them, including the ones that I used for my war binder:

Illustrated Faith Goals and This is Love Combo Kit (This is one set that I used)

picture of sample items to use to set goals for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

Illustrated Faith – Word – Cardstock Booklet (I used these for the labels on my tabs)

picture of illustrated faith words for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

I also love to add stamped images to my war binder. Here are the two sets that I use most (all are Stampin’ Up!):  I also use lots of flowers and tree stamp sets.

picture of samples of stamped phrases for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

picture of beautiful promenade for stampin' up for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God

 

Here are some of my finished war binder pages and dividers:

Picture of art for inside cover of binder for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God
War Binder Inside Cover
picture of artwork for thankfulness section of war binder for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God
War Binder – Gratitude Section
Picture of prayer section in war binder for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God
War Binder Prayer Section
Sample artwork for divider page for post how to set up a war binder for your time with God
War Binder Divider

Some Tips for Creating Your Own War Binder:

  1. Remember that this is YOUR personal war binder. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It is for sharing praise, worship, prayer and gratitude. It is for YOUR personal walk with God.
  2. It doesn’t have to be expensive or even cost money. Use supplies you already have on hand. If you only have looseleaf paper or a composition notebook, guess what? That’s perfect!
  3. It doesn’t even have to be “creative”. I’m not thrilled with the design of mine or even all of the pages and dividers, but this book is dedicated to our Lord and Savior. It documents my walk with Him. I think that He would be pleased that I’m focusing on Him and not how it looks or what everyone else thinks.
  4. Use the internet (Pinterest is great for this) to find ideas to inspire you.

Here’s another version that I created, also with step-by-step instructions.

Would you be interested in workshops or courses on creating a war binder or Bible journaling? If so, let me know if the comments.

Because of Him,

Sue

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Lawana Decker

Monday 1st of January 2024

I would like help with setting up my war journal

Susan Nelson

Saturday 6th of January 2024

Hi Lawana - while I would love to help each sister setting up their war journal, I just don't have that bandwidth.I do, however, offer a course that may help. You can find it here. Holler if you have any questions: https://womanofnoblecharactershop.com/products/518544

Joan

Monday 18th of December 2023

I have a journal for sermons and every study plus all verses, not to mention a journal to God. I also use to Bujo each new year, but last year I was two sick and this year I just realized because of my illness I haven’t chosen my word, started my verses nothing. When searching about different verse mapping I came across your war room. I really am intrigued putting many I. One place how glorious, what a tribute to Him. I want to learn more. Today I was starting my first 3 verses Isa 41:10, James 1:1-3 and Lam 3:22, I don’t know if I have a binder but my journal a beautiful tribute to stary night will fit inside. Thank you to someone who loves spending times in different mediums to praise our Father.

Susan Nelson

Sunday 24th of December 2023

I'm so glad that the post helped you. God bless you and thank you for stopping by!

Pamela

Wednesday 9th of August 2023

This looks so awesome! I am going to set up my own too!

Mary

Sunday 28th of May 2023

Thank you for sharing this. Have been looking for a way to implement this into my life.

Mary Neeley

Tuesday 25th of April 2023

Thank you so much this. I was always curious about how to go about this and I always thought I had to spend money on it. This really helped me.

Susan Nelson

Sunday 30th of April 2023

I'm so happy to hear that! I have lots of resources on the site about prayer journals and war binders. Enjoy and may God bless you.

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