Starting the New Year in Prayer
As the new year begins, many of us make resolutions and set goals for ourselves. One area that can often be overlooked, however, is our spiritual lives. Starting the new year off with a renewed emphasis on prayer can be a powerful way to draw closer to God and find guidance, strength, and peace in the coming months.
Prayer is a way for us to connect with God and communicate with him. It's an opportunity to praise him, thank him, and ask for his help and guidance. And as we pray, we can also become more attuned to his presence and his will for our lives.
But prayer is also a way for us to grow in our faith. As we spend time in prayer, we learn more about God and his ways. We encounter his Word and are transformed by it. We also develop a deeper relationship with him, one that is based on trust, dependence, and love.
But let's be real, incorporating prayer into our daily routine can be a challenge. We live in a busy world, and it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and neglect our spiritual practices. And sometimes, let's be honest, praying can just feel… well… boring.
But don't give up just yet! There are ways to make prayer a more meaningful and enjoyable part of your daily routine. Here are a few tips to get you started:
· Find a quiet, comfortable place to pray. It doesn't have to be a chapel or a fancy prayer room (although those can be nice too). It could be a corner of your bedroom, a park bench, or even your car. The important thing is to find a place where you can focus and be at peace.
· Mix it up. Prayer doesn't have to be the same old thing every day. Try using different prayer styles and techniques. Google things like lectio divina, prayer beads, or breath prayers like the Jesus Prayer. Try using a prayer journal to help you focus. Journaling is a great way to look back and see how God has answered your prayers. There are countless ways to pray, so don't be afraid to try something new.
· Involve your senses. Incorporating sensory elements into your prayer can make it feel more immersive and engaging. Light a candle, or try essential oils. Listen to worship music or find a peaceful spot in nature to pray. All of these things can help you connect with God on a deeper level.
· Make it a habit. The key to making prayer a regular part of your life is to do it consistently. Set aside a specific time each day for prayer, and try to stick to it as closely as possible. It might be helpful to set a reminder on your phone or schedule it into your daily planner.
· Don't worry about getting it "right." Sometimes we can be our own worst critics when it comes to prayer. We might feel like we're not doing it right or that we're not "good" at praying. But the important thing is to be sincere and open with God. He knows our hearts, and he is more interested in our honesty and humility than in our eloquence. As the Psalmist says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).
Let's not forget there is real power in prayer. James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." When we pray, we tap into a source of strength and wisdom that is beyond ourselves.
There is something very encouraging in the first line of James 4:8. It says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” May God bless you as you draw closer to him in the coming year.
-George Welty