If you’ve ever opened your Bible and genuinely wanted to pray ~ wanted to feel calm, wanted to focus, wanted your heart to settle~ only to discover your mind sprinting in five directions… you’re not alone.
An anxious mind doesn’t need a performance. It needs a place to land.
And that’s what Bible journaling can become: not “making it pretty,” not forcing yourself to be creative, but giving your attention something gentle to do while your spirit returns to God. A slow line. A soft color. A single word written in the margin like a whispered prayer: help… stay… lead…
The internet can make Bible journaling look like you need a full art studio and hand-lettering skills. But if your goal is creative reflection and art as prayer ~ especially for stress regulation ~ then simpler is better. Calmer is better. Small is better.
So below you’ll find 10 beginner-friendly picks (no overwhelm, no fancy requirements), plus a simple way to start today even if you feel scattered.
Here’s a quick overview of how this works
Bible journaling isn’t “decorating your Bible.” It’s responding to Scripture in a way that helps you slow down enough to receive it.
You’ll see:
- A beginner shopping list (only what actually helps)
- A “start small” method that works for anxious brains
- A 5-minute art-as-prayer practice you can repeat anytime
What to buy for Bible journaling (just choose what fits your style)
1. A starter kit if you want everything in one place
If decision fatigue is real for you, a kit can remove the friction of gathering supplies one by one.
Faber-Castell Bible Journaling Kit
This is the “open the box and begin” option ~ especially nice when you want creativity without overthinking.
2. A journaling Bible if you want your reflections beside the text
If you want margin space that invites reflection, start here.
NLT Inspire Bible
This is a popular choice for creative journaling styles ` art-as-prayer, gentle color, simple reflection right in the margins.
3. A wide-margin Bible if you mostly want notes + prayers
If you’re more “write a sentence prayer” than “paint a whole page,” go for a clean layout and generous margins.
ESV Single Column Journaling Bible
Spacious and focused ~ great if you want a calm reading experience and room to write.
4. A readable, note-friendly Bible if your eyes get tired easily
If readability is what keeps you from opening your Bible, choose a large-print notetaking style.
CSB Notetaking Bible (Large Print Edition)
A strong pick for readable text + room to reflect without feeling cramped.
5. A dependable fine-tip pen for quick prayers and margin notes
This is for the days you don’t want “art” ~ you just want to write one honest sentence.
Mr. Pen No Bleed Bible Pens (Fine Tip, Black)
Simple, clean notes. Great for: short prayers, underlining, quick keywords.
6. A detail pen if you like tiny lettering or careful lines
If you enjoy precision (or want to doodle small icons without mess), a fine liner helps.
Sakura Pigma Graphic Pen (Black)
Great for: outlines, tiny words, little symbols, neat borders.
7. A Bible-friendly highlighter option for gentle emphasis
If you love highlighting but hate page bleed-through, gel-style can feel calmer than wet ink.
Mr. Pen No Bleed Gel Highlighter
Good for: marking one phrase without turning the page into a neon floodlight.
8. Mildliner-style color (soft + aesthetic)
If you like color-coding and soft tones, this is a common go-to.
Zebra Mildliner Double-Sided Highlighters
Great for: gentle color cues, simple headings, quick navigation.
9. Stencils if you want “pretty” without pressure
Stencils are a gift when you want structure without needing to be “good at art.”
Mr. Pen Crafts Bible Journaling Stencils
Use for: letters, shapes, banners, quick headings, simple frames.
10. Washi tape if you want easy beauty + quick page marking
Washi tape is the easiest “I did something creative” tool on earth ~ and it’s great for calming rituals.
Mr. Pen Washi Tape Set (Floral)
Use for: tabs, borders, section dividers, marking passages you want to return to.
How to start (a beginner method that helps regulate stress)
Here’s the goal: one verse, one mark, one sentence prayer.
That’s it. That’s the practice.
- Pick a short verse (something you can hold in your mind)
Examples: Psalm 23:1, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 46:10, Philippians 4:6–7 - Read it out loud once
Out loud slows your system down. - Choose one phrase
Not the whole passage. One phrase. - Make one gentle mark
Underline it. Highlight it. Box it. Add a soft color wash. Add washi tape on the edge. - Write one sentence prayer
“God, help me receive this.”
“Jesus, meet me here.”
“Teach me rest.”
Stop there if you want. Stopping while it still feels peaceful is part of what trains your body to return.
Art-as-prayer for anxious minds (5 minutes)
Try this when you feel spun up:
- Inhale: draw one slow line
- Exhale: draw one slow line
- Write one word from the verse (rest / peace / refuge / stay)
- Write it again, slower
- Write it a third time, softer
- End with: “Let this be true in me.”
If your mind wanders, you’re not failing ~ you’re practicing returning.
Next steps
Pick your “starter lane”:
- Minimal lane (calm + simple): wide-margin Bible + one pen + one highlighter
- Creative lane (art-as-prayer): journaling Bible + stencils + mild colors + washi tape
- Decision-fatigue lane: starter kit + one Bible + begin with one verse today
And remember: Bible journaling isn’t about making art. It’s about making space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to journal in my actual Bible?
No. You can use a notebook, print a passage, or start in a journaling Bible you bought specifically for writing.
What if I’m anxious about “messing up” the page?
Start with pencil, stencils, or washi tape. Those are low-risk, high-comfort tools.
How do I keep this from becoming another productivity project?
Use the “one verse, one mark, one sentence” rule. Stop while it still feels gentle.
What’s the best first purchase if I’m overwhelmed?
Either a starter kit (so you don’t have to decide) or a wide-margin/journaling Bible (so the space invites you in). Then add one pen/highlighter ~ done.
Find out our Recommended Journaling Bibles for Women; visit: https://illuminatedresources.com/best-journaling-bibles-for-women-for-deeper-study-your-actual-learning-style/
