5 Prayers That Will Shape Your Year

Here it is. This new year.For many, it is just another year. Nothing will be different. Life will continue as before. The year ahead seems just like the year past.If this is you, I would like to encourage you to make a change. I am told that in Hebrew, the word “year” can also mean “change”.We are designed for change. We are created to grow and with growth comes change. This year, my prayer for you - my loyal readers, my friends, my loved ones - is that you will embrace change.Here are 5 prayers I have written for you. If you pray them daily, with sincerity and with passion, you may not recognize yourself this time next year.Interspersed are photos I took while enjoying some leisure time at the end of the year with friends who never fail to draw me closer to God.5 PRAYERS FOR THE NEW YEARPRAYER FOR LIFELord, the greatest gift you have given to me is life. May I know this gift in all its' fullness. May I not squander this gift with useless activity and clamoring entertainment. Rather may I embrace this gift of life with worthwhile work, real relationships, soul care and sincere worship.PRAYER FOR GOODNESSLord, you are the very essence of goodness and can therefore not want anything other than goodness for me. May I see the goodness that you have already brought my way that I have not yet recognized. Also, may I see the goodness that will be wrapped in a new opportunity or a new direction. May I even see the goodness in a seeming hardship. Lord, give me eyes and ears and a heart that recognizes all the good you bring my way.PRAYER FOR PRESENCELord, may I understand that one of the greatest gifts I can give to others is presence. To be there for them. To support them, assure them and encourage them with my very presence. Show me, Lord, each day, where my presence will make all the difference. God, above all else, may I know the comfort and energizing assurance of your presence with me.PRAYER FOR CONSISTENCYLord, may I know a consistent walk toward you that builds my character. Even when I want to do something that pleases me but displeases you. Even when I have to humble myself before others and it brings temporary embarrassment. Even when it hurts, but because I said I would, I follow through. Even though there are a million reasons to give up, may I continue. God, this year, teach me consistency. Teach me a long obedience in the same direction.PRAYER FOR GENEROSITYLord, our desire for financial security discourages us from giving. Teach me the freedom that comes from generosity. Help me know that in giving I place my confidence in you and not in my worldly goods. Help me, Lord, toward a true understanding that it is far more blessed to give than to receive.May these prayers help you grow and change and become more like Jesus every day this year."Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." - James 5: 16-18