As we look back over the past year, do you see patterns that need amending, habits that need rending, and do you find yourself defending your actions and attitudes? Are you longing for something different this year? If you want to move ahead, start over, and experience a year of victory, not defeat, then maybe this New Year’s prayer will help to inspire you.
Heavenly Father, We look back at a year where You walked beside us every step in every season. You never left us undefended or alone. We pause to remember how You sustained us through every heartache and delighted in every celebration. We see You there. With humble gratitude We thank You.
We come to you in this brand new year with a desire to move forward, not backward. Last year is gone, and with it all the foolish mistakes We made. We’re eager to put the past behind and to press on toward the mark of knowing you, loving you, serving you, and making Your name known in this coming year.
We don’t ask for cheap grace, because We know it cost You, Your life. You gave everything for us, so we could have a new beginning-every day of every year. Thank You for Your underserved favor and unlimited mercy and Your grace, that keeps on giving. Thank You for making us Your child. Forgive us for ignoring Your voice at times, for pursuing our own pleasures, and for letting our priorities slip. Your promise is like gold to us: Your offer of forgiveness, Your unfailing compassion, and Your new mercies daily.
We need You, Lord. Without You, we can’t meet the heavy demands of life or the unrelenting pressures that we’ll face this coming year. We are making a new commitment today-not a New Year’s resolution-but a new desire to place You where You always belong, first place in our lives. Make the “I will’s” of Scripture become our affirmations: “I will trust You; I will praise You; I will follow You.” We will replace fear with faith, knowing You are always with us. And with You on our side, it will be a victorious New Year.
We lay down our broken armor, our rusty tools, our self-defenses, and every excuse we’ve used for not living victoriously. Purge our bad habits; free us from wrong expectations; and fill our hearts, souls, and minds with praiseworthy thoughts and actions. We want to exchange our past disappointments for Your divine appointments this year. Our life is Yours; our relationships belong to You; everything we have is Yours, Jesus. Set our feet on the right path this year, and grant wisdom so we can make right choices that will honor You. Let us see others like You see them, as precious ones You created. Renew the gifts and abilities You’ve so generously given us so we can bless others as You’ve blessed us.
We realize our desire for perfection is misplaced. Our relationship with You doesn’t depend on our performance, but upon Your presence in our lives. We will make mistakes.
But we don’t have to be perfect! You’ve already made us acceptable in Your sight because of Your death and resurrection. You covered our past, present, and future. You have given us everything we could possibly need for the coming year. In You, we are complete, Lord. Help us to accept our faults and make Your mirror mour own. We want to reflect You daily.
Because of Your love and the price You paid for our sins, we can not only enjoy a victorious new year, but a triumphant life. You put a new “want-to” in our lives and in our hearts. And as the calendar turns another page in this brand new year, we want more than ever, to live it for You. There is no battle in our lives too great with You in our life. There is victory in You, Jesus!