A New Year’s Prayer

I don’t know about you, but it feels like 2025 catapulted me into a futuristic new year. Though the transition was seamless, it gives the vibe of something new, something anticipatory, something exciting for 2025. My friend Sherry sent me a meaningful prayer for the New Year that was sent to her. The prayer and acrostic come from Jennifer Flanders, who published it in 2020. You may have even seen it. However, it is relevant for any New Year. I liked it so much that I wanted to share it in my blog. Plus, I’m a sucker for a good acrostic! Besides, a memorable prayer is a good way to start off a new year, don’t you think? I modified the original prayer by adding my own commentary. Here goes . . .

Lord, bless the coming year and help me to use my time wisely to do the following:

Never stop praying. (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Being mindful of turning to prayer is not easy to achieve, but it is worthwhile and
advantageous. I amuse myself with the very idea of praying silently while in an unlikely
environment or in the midst of unsuspecting people. My short and silent prayers are
spontaneous. Lord, remind me to make prayer my first response rather than a last resort.

Encourage one another. (I Thessalonians 5:11)
Open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Put the interest of my neighbors ahead of my
own. May the words I speak edify, uplift, and point others to You. I need to work on this one.
Though I fancy myself as an encourager, it is moreso during times of difficulty and not in the
routine of life.

Work without complaining. (Philippians 2:14)
Help me to do my tasks heartily and cheerfully, as a sacrifice of praise to You. Keep my outward
and inward grumbling thwarted as it accomplishes nothing and is not pleasing to anyone,
especially You.

Yearn for Christ’s return. (Mark 13:33)
Lord, let me be found faithfully doing Your work when You appear. Could it be this year? I often find
myself saying aloud the longing in my heart, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.” This world has become
so evil, and I weary of people mocking You.

Evangelize the lost. (Mark 16:15)
We don’t all have the gift of evangelism, but we are all commanded to evangelize! Consider a
short-term mission trip this year. Evangelize with others. Show your love of Christ. Share your joy of salvation.

Acknowledge Him. (Proverbs 3:6)
Let my life serve as an example of what it means to trust You fully. Is this scary sounding to you
as it is to me as if I am inviting something bad to happen? Let’s accept that God knows our
future. What we need to do is acknowledge that He is in control at all times and in all things. We
need to stay in constant communication with Him. (Reread the “N.”)

Redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:15-16)
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live life fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of
every opportunity in these evil days.” Oh, how I wish there were days in my past that I could
redeem the time. But now is not the past. These verses speak to the present. Show me, Lord,
how to invest my time wisely in activities and pursuits that will bear fruit for all of eternity. I
often remind myself of the idea of “doing things for eternal significance.” It not only brings glory
to His name but serves as a reminder that I am His messenger and have the joy of joining Him in His work.

I hope that you, too, find relevance to this New Year’s prayer and will consider adopting it as a useful prayer to follow throughout 2025. I’ve actually already memorized it! I don’t see it as a list of resolutions. I see it as an obedient response to God’s Word.