This first day of the new year has been one of thoughtfulness and talking to God. I decided to put what was on my heart onto paper and write out my prayer for what I want Christ to accomplish in my life this year. Writing helps solidify things for me; it helps them resolve.

Proverbs 31: 25 – “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”

Eliminate fear. Establish trust. Foster strength. Shore up faith. Align desires.

Jesus, your grace is so magnificent. I never want to revert to a checklist inspired religion that stifles and chokes. But rather, please allow my increasing experience of Your grace to continue altering my affections and desires. I want to make much of You. I want to live a life of integrity that reveals a heart softened to Your words and perfect example.

I despise my shortcomings. I hate when I yield to temptation and stumble into sin. It breaks my heart when I knowingly choose the wrong. It’s painful to know that the good things I desire to do, I often neglect, while I walk headfirst into actions that I know will steal my joy and wound Your heart. My heart is heavy with shame when I acknowledge these actions. I don’t want to be this person. I loathe the residual affects of my sin nature. I want to be a woman who reflects Your nature, but my sin tarnishes all of my efforts.

Lord, let me take encouragement from the life of David—-a man after Your own heart. Though his life was fraught with his own sinful choices, he knew well how to approach the throne of grace.

Psalm 16:7-8 

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 18: 31-32

For who is God but the Lord? And who is a rock except our God—the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.

Psalm 103: 8-12

The LORD is merciful and gracious,
   slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
   nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
   nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
   so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Jesus, bring restoration this year. Bring more awareness of Your great love into my heart. Your kindness, may it lead me closer to the Cross, nearer to Your mercy, into the healing of a repentant heart, and further in my personal strivings to be more like You.

Let me not run from You when I fall, but always remember that no failure extends beyond the power of Your Cross.

Remind me daily that my right standing with You is not dependent on my actions but in Your atoning, sacrificial death on the Cross. The more I let this truth saturate my heart, the deeper my appreciation and awe will grow. You’ve taken my shame, and in its place, you’ve established joy and more joy. Do so again.

I want to be a woman of strength and confidence—inspired by an unwavering trust in the good plans that You have established. I want to relinquish control and be at rest in the center of Your will.

My desire, Jesus, is to be a woman of God—one that pleases You. You have already purchased my righteousness. There is nothing I can do to earn supplemental worth or standing with You. Help me to walk in light of this incredible truth, that it would bring about deep, abiding gratitude and love to transform my heart and actions.

Please use me for your kingdom work. I want to touch lives and make lasting impressions with Your love and mercy.

My joy is at its height when I am glorifying You with my life. Burn this truth into my heart.

Do not let me be enticed by lesser pleasures, joys, or distractions. Let my desires for good things and the things that my heart loves lead me to worship You.  

Teach me to wait with confidence and peace. Show me the joy that can be found when I quiet my heart. Lead me where you would have me go. Help me to remember that comparison will rob me of joy every time and that unrealistic expectations will be death blow to my satisfaction in Your plan and Your timing.

Lamentations 3:25-26

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
   to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the LORD.