Something about the start of the New Year makes us all wants to live this year better than the last. It feels like January 1 is a fresh start. We make resolutions. We start new disciplines. A lot of it feels like striving to do more, be better. Many resolutions are made to do something daily or quit a behavior. Honestly, all of that just sounds exhausting. Probably because we are trying to do it on your own. Our focus is meant to be on staying in step with God and allowing Him to cause the transformation. It is the principle of abiding found in John 15.
So for 2022 instead of making a list of behaviors to change, let’s turn our hearts toward God and allow God to do what only God can do, transform us to be more like Him. Instead of striving to change, lets position ourselves to be changed. It won’t be a perfect or quick process. There will be ups and downs. But what a year it would be if our focus wasn’t on doing more, but receiving more. Let’s make 2022 a year of trusting God to work in and through us, relying on His strength and wisdom not our own.
These are personalized, paraphrased scriptures prayers from Colossians 1:9-13 for the year ahead. As you read notice God part is to fill, strengthen, qualify, redeem and forgive. Our part is to respond to Him.
Father,
Continually fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that I may live a life worthy of the Lord and please You in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Strengthened me with all power according to Your glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience.
I will give joyful thanks to You, Father, You have qualified me to share in the inheritance of Your holy people in the kingdom of light.
You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of the Son You love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Today by Your Spirit make real all of my inheritance in Christ Jesus. I choose to receive it.
