The One Thing We Need More Than Anything Else This Year
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As we start a new year, many of us are taking an inventory of our lives, habits and routines, determining what things we’d like to change. Being intentional with how we live our lives is prudent. Life gets busy and we often focus only on what is urgent, which can distract us from what is truly most important. But there is one thing we need more than anything else this year in order to achieve our goals; it’s the presence of the Lord!
Our church begins the year with 21 days of prayer and fasting. It can be hard to get myself out of bed at 6AM to make it to 7AM prayer, but once I arrive and see hundreds of other Christ followers starting the day and year in prayer and worship, my heart is encouraged. I feel God’s presence as we sing and pray together. Somehow, it’s easier to hear God and feel him in the context of community. Make gathering with Christ followers a priority as you embark on this new season.
Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Prayer is key to growing our relationship with the Lord. It is when we converse that we learn about our Father. He tells us that we can call on him and he will be faithful to answer us! How merciful he is to give us access to his heart.
John 4:24 tells us, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” If we want to meet God, we have to prepare our bodies and our spirits. Worship helps awaken our spirits to what God is doing. God is spirit so we must be willing to connect with him, spirit to spirit.
Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” We want God’s presence in our lives because with him we can experience fullness of joy!
As we embrace a new year, we want God’s joy to be our strength. May he strengthen us as we work towards each goal we set, each dream he gives us, and each step towards healing we take. May his presence fill our homes and enable us to parent well and love our spouses graciously.
The reality is we all need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to overcome the obstacles that we all face. We are not enough on our own. It is in him that we live, move and have our being. Invite Jesus into your goals, daily routines, and into the New Year!
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Chalabala
