Today’s Encouragement is, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV
Present your requests –
What if, instead of making New Year’s resolutions—a list of all that we want to do, achieve, and become in the coming year… we wrote our prayer requests for the year?
Something that begins like:
Thank You, Father, for the blessing of this new year ahead of me! Please help me to…
Such a prayer acknowledges that His power is necessary because, without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)!
And He can do anything!
Such a ‘New Year’s Prayer’ also causes us to be a bit more thoughtful about what really matters. Health is often a resolution topic; couldn’t God help us with that, as well as our finances, behavior, habits, and addictions? What about growing in faith, compassion, kindness, or patience?
Well, yes, of course, and while a New Year’s Resolution to accomplish things is noteworthy, the power of sincere, persistent prayer is lightyears beyond our ability to accomplish! Because we can do nothing without Him and all things through Him!
Father, help us wisely choose the goals and plans we pursue and, even more importantly, the prayers we pray. Guide us to worthy, genuine, lasting pursuits, using this life You have blessed us with to bring honor to You.
I Can Do All Things
Jarica Jameson
Today’s Encouragement 