People often make resolutions at the end of a year for the upcoming new year. God does want us to examine our lives (Ps. 139:23). He also wants us to grow (2 Pet. 3:18) and become more effective and productive (2 Pet. 1:3-8). We must ask, however, if resolutions are the way to seek improvement. What about prayer?
The Path to Growth and Effectiveness In the New Year Takes Prayer
For followers of Jesus Christ, how we get somewhere matters. New Year resolutions tend to fall short.
1) Resolutions tend to grow out of self-assessment rather than asking God to examine our lives. (Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 3:5-6)
2) We tend to pursue resolutions with self-determination and self-effort rather than trusting God to work in and through us. (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13)
Ask God to Search Your Heart to Reveal Where Change is Needed
As you look back over the past year, you might pray similar to the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Ps. 139:23) Then ask Him to show you what He might want you to do differently in the upcoming year. — “See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:24)
You might ask questions like the following:
- How has my life affected people in my sphere of influence? Did I bless and build up people or criticize and tear them down?
- What did I use to guide me in serving and making everyday decisions? Did I look to God and His Word for direction or lean on my own understanding or the ways of the world?
- How did I deal with problems, conflicts, or mistakes made by others or myself? Did I apply grace and truth or did I merely react?
- What have I done to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and in ministry effectiveness? Did I grab hold of the resources and growth opportunities God put before me rather than merely coast through life?
Perhaps the answers to the above questions weren’t as you’d hoped, or at least not consistently so. Good news: You have a new year ahead of you to trust God to help you change those answers. Of course, God could take you home to be with Him or Jesus could come first. While those aren’t bad options, why not ask Him to work in and through you in the meantime, so your life makes a difference now?
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