Not a New Years Resolution to be broken; a prayer to be prayed

We all make New Years resolutions.  If you're like me, they go something like this.  I want to lose weight.  I want to save more money this year than I did last year.  If I'm feeling really "spiritual", I want to read through my Bible, be kinder to others, listen to God and the list goes on.  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with resolutions and setting goals.  In past years,  I have made them myself. Lately, God has shown me some problems with this way of setting goals.

• First, why are you waiting untl New Years Day to change a habit.  If God has convicted you about a problem in your life in July are you going to tell God, "sorry I can't do anything about this because it's not January yet"; of course you wouldn't.  If God shows us a problem, we need to set about correcting it right then, not later. Later is simply another way of putting off what we don't really want to deal with.
• Second, We end up feeling one hundred percent defeated about January 2nd when we've broken the resolution. Does God really want us defeated?  I don't think so.  We see our self as a loser because we couldn't keep that resolution, or worse we become apathetic and decide that we'll never be able to change so why bother trying.
• Next, if we manage to by some stroke of luck or by the grace of God to keep the resolutions we  make, we may forget that it was God who helped us and we become puffed up.  We become proud of our achievements as though we did it on our own.
• Finally, we often set too many; or goals that we can't possibly attain even IF we wanted. It is better to set one goal and reach that one; than set ten goals and keep none of them.   Along with that, we often fail to plan out how we will keep the goal.  As we all know, "to fail to plan is to plan to fail".

It is a much better plan to let God change you from the inside out; in his time and when you are ready.  So this year, I am not making any resolutions.  I will be setting goals throughout the year as God shows me areas that need to be corrected.

My Prayer for the New Year

I pray you have faith to go where ever God leads 

and do what ever he says.

I pray you always look for the best in those around you,

keeping in mind that only God is perfect.

I pray you are merciful when irritated

and give grace to those you meet.

May you see each day as a blessing

and an opportunity to start fresh if you need.

May God help you to live each day in anticipation of great things

and may you rise above the clouds

 to find the sun is still shinning.

Every day may you find something to be grateful for.
May God give you courage to stand alone when necessary
and to speak up for those who can't.

May you have a few close friends

and may your love for God never run dry.

~Amen~

This is my prayer for myself and for you.