With Christmas behind us and the New Year near, many of us take inventory. We review the goals we set in the beginning of the year, those we accomplished and those we did not. Too often the list of goals we didn’t fulfill is longer than those achieved. During this time we may also mourn the people we lost and the relationships that ended or think of the job that didn’t go as we anticipated or that we didn’t get. Instead of letting these feelings weigh us down and set the tone for the New Year, why not count our blessings and turn to prayer?
Prayer elevates us to a higher ground and renews our perspective and vision for living. Recently, I witnessed the power of prayer while attending a conference where spiritual leaders from 125 cities and 40 nations gathered. Many of them shared how prayer led them to find a new vision for the betterment of their cities. Prayers broke down the barriers and allowed these individuals to see the possibilities for their communities. When we pray, we too can see the vision and guidance that comes from the Lord for our communities and life.
As we prepare for the New Year, let us pray, reflect and renew our minds. In prayer we can share our hopes, dreams and regrets with the Lord who calls us to surrender our burdens and aspire to better thinking and living. In doing so, our spirit is lifted and new ideas and a vision for our lives will emerge. Prayer strengthens and deepens our confidence in God who has brought us this far not to let us go.
As we turn toward a new beginning, I am reminded of the words of Jeremiah to the people of God, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV).
Whether you had an amazing or challenging year, pray and trust that the Lord will order your steps. We are not alone. God will give us the power to face life’s challenges with faith and to do amazing things with our lives. And remember, all things are possible with God.
Lord, thank you for the blessings of the past and hope for the future.
